What happened
On June 10, 2023, during a scheduled skydiving session at the Elbląg Aeroclub, a fatal accident occurred involving a highly experienced skydiver. The flight was being conducted under VFR rules using a Cessna Caravan C208, registration D-FLLY.
At approximately 15:20 LMT, during the twelfth jump of the day, 17 skydivers exited the aircraft at an altitude of 4,000 m AMSL. The final two jumpers were utilizing Squirrel Freak 3 wingsuits. While the other 16 participants landed safely at the airfield, one skydiver drifted approximately 1,000 meters from the aerodrome into an urban area of Elbląg. Witnesses observed the skydiver striking the wall of a residential building before falling onto a nearby lawn. Emergency services arrived within 15 minutes, but despite resuscitation efforts, the skydiver was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation
The PKBWL investigation analyzed video footage from a companion skydiver, GPS data from a FlySight device, and flight logs from the participant's personal recording equipment. The investigation examined the technical condition of the Squirrel Freak 3 wingsuit and the parachute system, which included a Sunrise Rigg Innovator harness, a WINX 135 main canopy, and a TEMPO 150 reserve canopy.
Analysis of the descent revealed that while the jump proceeded normally until the deployment of the main canopy, the skydiver entered an intense, high-speed rotation immediately upon opening. The investigation also noted that the emergency release system's "pillow" (the connection point for the cutaway handle) was disconnected, which would have prevented the manual jettisoning of the main canopy.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was the loss of consciousness of the skydiver, likely induced by high G-forces resulting from rapid rotation.
- The deployment of the main canopy involved an excessively aggressive loading (opening shock).
- A line twist occurred immediately after deployment, causing the intense rotational movement.
- The skydiver failed to engage the steering toggles to stabilize the canopy.
- The skydiver was unable to execute a cutaway because the emergency release system's connection was disconnected.
- Contributing factors included the skydiver's age and the presence of wind gusts between 25 and 30 knots at lower altitudes.