What happened
On June 21, 2016, during the "Vector Festival 2016" at Klatovy Airport (LKKT), a 35-year-old Swedish skydiver was participating in a group formation freefall exercise. After deploying her CROSSFIRE 2 main parachute at 4,000 m AGL, the skydiver completed her descent and approached the landing area on runway 27R.
As she neared the ground, she began tracking another skydiver flying alongside her on her left side. Video analysis from a helmet camera reveals that during the final three seconds of her descent, she maintained visual contact with this other participant. Because her attention was diverted, she failed to perform the necessary flare maneuver. At approximately 20 m AGL, her lower limbs made contact with the grassy landing surface at high forward speed, leading to a violent impact where her head struck the ground. Despite immediate on-site resuscitation efforts by colleagues and medical professionals, the skydiver succumbed to her injuries at a university hospital six days later.
The investigation
The ÚZPLN investigation examined video footage from both the deceased's helmet camera and a fellow skydiver's camera. The investigation also included a technical inspection of the parachute equipment, which consisted of a CROSSFIRE 2 main canopy, an OPTIMUM 126 reserve, and a VECTOR 3 harness.
Investigators confirmed that the parachute system was fully functional and compliant with all regulations. The inspection also noted that the equipment was accidentally damaged by medical personnel during the emergency resuscitation process, specifically involving the release mechanism, but this occurred after the accident.
Findings
- The skydiver was highly experienced, holding an FAI Category D license with over 1,500 jumps.
- The meteorological conditions were favorable, with light winds and high visibility.
- The primary cause of the accident was inappropriate distribution of attention immediately prior to landing, as the skydiver focused on a nearby jumper and lost awareness of her altitude.
- The failure to execute a proper flare resulted in the high-speed impact.