What happened
On August 2, 2024, a skydiving session was underway at the Nowy Targ (EPNT) airfield using a PAC-750 XL aircraft. During the first jump of the day, a group of 15 skydivers, including four tandem pairs, exited the aircraft at an altitude of 4,000 m. The skydiver, a 20-year-old female with 222 total jumps, was filming the formation during freefall.
After the formation break at 2,000 m, the skydiver performed a backflip and initiated parachute deployment at approximately 1,300 m. Following a successful opening of her Pilot 7 canopy, the skydiver began gliding north. During this phase, she lost geographical orientation and was unable to locate the airfield.
At an altitude of approximately 430 m, the skydiver selected an improvised landing area. While attempting to maneuver toward this spot at 200 m altitude, she realized she lacked sufficient height to reach the target safely. In an attempt to avoid nearby buildings, she applied a heavy pull on the right rear brake toggle at approximately 60 m altitude. This aggressive input caused the parachute to enter a steep spiral dive. The skydiver struck the ground at an angle and at a speed of approximately 76 km/h, resulting in serious injuries.