What happened
On June 29, 1999, at approximately 11:25 AM, a skydiving accident occurred at Hangö Airfield during a summer training camp organized by the Finnish Skydiving Club. The aircraft involved, a DHC6 Twin Otter (registration OH-SLK), was conducting a routine jump load of 24 participants.
The accident occurred during the final jump of a four-person formation team. After a normal freefall and canopy deployment at approximately 850–900 meters, the skydiver began a flight path toward the designated landing area near the eastern edge of the runway. While approaching the southern end of the runway, the skydiver executed a steep, nearly 180-degree left turn at an altitude of approximately 20 meters. This maneuver caused the skydiver to strike the ground on a grassy area about 13 meters from the runway. The impact was forceful, with the skydiver hitting the ground feet-first while the torso was tilted forward at a 45-degree angle.
The investigation
The investigation examined the skydiver's equipment, including a Bargo wrist-mounted altimeter, a Performance Design Sabre canopy, and a Sun Path Javelin rig. The altimeter was tested in a pressure chamber and showed no significant deviations from test standards. Investigators also analyzed the weather conditions, noting that while visibility was excellent, the asphalt runway surface had heated significantly, creating turbulence.
Witnesses and the skydiver's partner reported experiencing strong downdrafts near the runway edge. The investigation also reviewed the skydiver's training history, noting a high level of proficiency in formation skydiving (FS) but limited experience with landing maneuvers in turbulent or crosswind conditions.
Findings
- The primary cause of the accident was a steep left turn performed at an extremely low altitude, which led to the ground impact.
- Contributing factors included the skydiver's failure to account for potential turbulence caused by the runway, which likely increased the rate of descent.
- The skydiver's focus was primarily on the technical execution of formation skydiving maneuvers, which may have led to a lack of concentration during the landing phase.
- An error in altitude estimation may have occurred; while the skydiver reported the altimeter showed 100 meters, witnesses estimated the actual altitude was no more than 20 meters. An error in the altimeter display cannot be entirely ruled out, though it likely occurred due to the impact.
- The skydiver sustained severe injuries, including compound fractures to the left leg, a broken left heel, and fractures to the L2–L4 vertebrae, all of which required surgical intervention.