What happened
On June 25, 2000, during a Midsummer jump camp at Hangö Airfield, a 35-year-old Finnish skydiver was involved in a serious accident. The jumper was part of a two-person formation following a jump from 4,000 meters. After the parachute deployment at 800 meters, the jumper approached the landing area, intending to land near the packing area located between the taxiway and the landing zone.
At an altitude of approximately 30 to 50 meters, the skydiver executed a sharp left turn over the restricted packing area. This maneuver caused the jumper to strike the ground at a significant angle. The impact occurred on the legs first, causing the pelvis to strike the ground with heavy force. The jumper then slid into a shallow ditch, where they became partially entangled with the main canopy.
The investigation
The investigation examined the aircraft used for the jump, a DHC6 Twin Otter (OH-SLK), the skydiver's equipment, and the environmental conditions. Investigators interviewed 15 witnesses and reviewed the skydiver's training and jump history. The investigation noted that while the skydiver held a valid C-level certification, they had not met the minimum requirement of ten jumps within the previous 12 months to maintain that specific status.
Technical analysis focused on the parachute, a Sabre 120 manufactured by Performance Design, and the reserve parachute, a Techno 155 by Parachutes de France. The investigation also looked into the skydiver's familiarity with the canopy's aerodynamics and the potential impact of the weather and landing direction decisions.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a sharp left turn performed at a very low altitude (30–50 meters), which resulted in a high-energy impact with the ground.
- The turn was likely initiated using the front riser instead of the control lines, leading to a rapid loss of altitude.
- The skydiver had limited experience with the specific aerodynamic behaviors of the canopy under extreme conditions, such as high wing loading and calm winds.
- Contributing factors included a potential error in altitude estimation, varying wind directions indicated by flags, and a possible sense of urgency due to a prior engagement in Helsinki.
- The skydiver's recent jump frequency was below the recommended threshold for maintaining C-level proficiency.