History of the Flight
On 10 September 2021, skydiving operations were conducted at Gliwice airfield (EPGL). During the 11th flight of the day, two skydivers using wingsuits exited the aircraft at approximately 4000 m AGL. They flew in formation and separated at about 1370 m AGL. Both opened their parachutes approximately 2 km southwest of the airfield and proceeded toward the field. After traveling about 1600 m downwind, at approximately 13:40 LMT, one skydiver was at an altitude of about 160 m above the southwestern part of the airfield when his parachute entered a gentle right turn that transitioned into a steep spiral, resulting in a collision with the ground. Witnesses released the unconscious skydiver from the harness and initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Emergency services were notified, and a Polish Medical Air Rescue (LPR) helicopter arrived about 20 minutes later, taking over resuscitation efforts. After 40 minutes of rescue operations, the skydiver was pronounced dead.
Injuries
The accident resulted in one fatal injury to the skydiver.
Damage to the Parachute
The upper surface of the canopy was torn, specifically affecting cells 2 and 8.
Skydiver Information
The skydiver was a 47-year-old male. He held a Personnel Qualification Certificate with privilege PJ(D) and a Maintenance Mechanic Certificate with TM(P) endorsement. He had completed 666 jumps. On 25 August 2021, he participated in a world record attempt forming an 18-person wingsuit formation.
Parachute Information
The skydiver was using a wingsuit. His main parachute was a Sabre 170 with serial number 23117001643, manufactured in September 1995 by P.D. The last inspection was valid until 9 February 2022. The reserve parachute was an R-MAX 168 with serial number 60745879, manufactured in March 2008 by P.A., also with inspection validity until 9 February 2022. The skydiver personally performed the technical inspection of both parachutes, as he was qualified to do so.
Meteorological Information
At 13:00, the nearest synoptic station in Katowice reported wind from 210° at 3 m/s and a temperature of 23.6°C. At 14:00, wind was from 190° at 4 m/s, and temperature was 23.9°C.
Analysis
The investigation was conducted by a team from the Polish State Commission on Aircraft Accident Investigation (PKBWL), led by Jacek Bogatko and including Ireneusz Boczkowski. The analysis focused on the circumstances of the accident, parachute condition, and possible factors affecting controllability.
Findings
The commission did not establish a definitive cause of the accident. Based on the evidence, the most likely causes considered were:
- Snagging of a control line on one of the wingsuit components.
- Tearing of the upper canopy surface (cells 2 and 8) during parachute deployment, which hindered or prevented normal parachute control.