What happened
On October 20, 2022, a skydiver was participating in a certification test for the BD-71R parachute at the Chrcynno (EPNC) landing field. The test involved jumping with an additional 80 kg weight container attached via a lanyard.
The skydiver exited the aircraft at an altitude of 1100 m. Following the established test program, the jumper successfully deployed the main parachute and descended for approximately 1.5 minutes. After 30 seconds of flight, the jumper proceeded to release the 80 kg weight container from the lanyard. At the moment of this release, at an altitude of approximately 100 m, the main parachute canopy also detached from the harness. This detachment triggered the Reserve Static Line (RSL) and the Collins strap, initiating the deployment of the reserve parachute. However, due to the extremely low altitude, the reserve canopy did not have sufficient time to fully inflate. The skydiver struck the ground in a vertical position at high velocity, resulting in serious injuries.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation utilized video footage from both ground-based and aerial cameras to reconstruct the sequence of events. The investigation examined the parachute equipment, including the BD-71R main system and the Sigma UPT reserve system.
Investigators found that the skydiver was properly qualified and that the jumps were being conducted according to the manufacturer's approved test program. The analysis of the equipment revealed that the protective sleeve for the release cable had been torn from its attachment point on the container. It is believed that the high physical loads and lateral jerking experienced during the initial main canopy inflation caused this damage.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the displacement of the right release cable due to the tearing of its protective sleeve.
- The altitude of 100 m at the time of main canopy separation provided insufficient time for the reserve parachute to fully inflate and decelerate the jumper.
- The specific configuration required for this test—using a large-capacity Sigma UPT reserve to accommodate the high mass of the jumper and the 80 kg load—necessitated a deployment sequence that was highly sensitive to the timing of the weight release.
- There was no evidence of physiological impairment or alcohol consumption on the part of the skydiver.