What happened
On 10 May 2026, a student parachutist performed their first jump of their life at the EPSD aerodrome. The jump was conducted from an AN-2 aircraft at an altitude of 1,000 meters above ground level (AGL). Surface winds were recorded at approximately 5 m/s. The descent proceeded normally until the jumper reached a height of about 100 meters AGL, where they correctly aligned their body into the wind. At approximately 5 meters AGL, the jumper began to cycle their legs in a technique known as the "bicycle" maneuver. However, the final landing was executed on the left leg only, occurring roughly 50 meters from the drop zone start point. The jumper reported pain in the left ankle area and was transported by ambulance to a hospital, where medical examination confirmed a fracture of the midfoot bones in the left foot.
The investigation
The Polish State Commission for Aircraft Accident Investigation (PKBWL) reviewed the documentation provided by the entity responsible for the initial inquiry. The Commission assessed that the findings presented in the final report were sufficient to conclude the investigation. The analysis focused on the sequence of events during the descent and landing phase, specifically examining the jumper's body positioning and technique in the final meters above the ground.
Findings
The primary cause of the injury was identified as a technical error in the landing procedure. Specifically, the jumper failed to position their legs correctly for impact, resulting in a single-leg landing on the left side. A contributing factor was the jumper's lack of experience, as this was their first parachute jump.
Safety action
The Commission accepted the preventive measures implemented by the investigating entity. These actions included discussing the incident with other parachutists and conducting additional practical training sessions for student jumpers. The training placed special emphasis on proper leg positioning during landing. Furthermore, instructors were directed to pay particular attention to ensuring students master correct landing techniques during future training exercises.