What happened
On 3/30/2015, an experienced wingsuit skydiver participated in a jump from a Twin Otter aircraft, registration DU-SD3, at the Skydive Dubai Desert Campus. The flight departed under favorable weather conditions with clear skies and light winds. After exiting the aircraft at 13,000 feet, the skydiver initially completed a normal freefall. Following the deployment of the main canopy, the descent became unstable. Video footage from an accompanying jumper captured the skydiver entering an anti-clockwise spiral descent, followed by a sharp turn that transitioned into a violent, high-speed anti-clockwise spin. The skydiver ultimately impacted the ground, resulting in one fatality.
The investigation
Investigators from the GCAA AAIS reviewed video evidence from a nearby jumper to reconstruct the sequence of events. The investigation included a post-occurrence inspection of the skydiver's personal equipment, including the wingsuit, helmet, and parachute assembly. The inspection confirmed that the main canopy was in good condition and the reserve parachute remained undeployed. The automatic activation device (AAD) was found to be functional and within its validity period. Additionally, the skydiver's medical history and training records were reviewed; the skydiver was a highly experienced professional holding a USPA Class D license with over 500 jumps. An autopsy confirmed no presence of psychoactive substances in the blood.
Findings
- The skydiver was an expert-level jumper with a significant number of previous jumps.
- The parachute equipment, including the reserve canopy and AAD, was fully operational and within service limits.
- The primary cause of the accident was a loss of situational awareness and the inappropriate use of parachute brakes.
- The skydiver failed to execute a cut-away of the main canopy or deploy the reserve parachute.
- High centrifugal forces during the rapid spin likely hindered the ability to manipulate parachute handles or may have caused physiological distress, such as a red-out.