1 Matches (out of a total of 833 incidents)
  1. Date Location Category Age # Jumps AAD?/RSL? Dropzone.com Report Dropzone.com Discussion
    03/09/2004 Freefall Adventures, NJ NOP 29 N/N 53 #1230291
    Description: The jumper was taking part in a 2-way freefly jump. The jumper back tracked away and turned over at a very low altitude and deployed his reserve but impacted before it could deploy. It is likely that the jumper was under the effects of alcohol.
    Lessons:
    USPA Description: This jumper was making a 2-way sit-fly jump and deployed his reserve parachute at a very low altitude. He struck the ground before the canopy had time to inflate and was killed instantly by the impact.
    USPA Conclusions:Both jumpers on this jump apparently lost altitude awareness. The first jumper deployed his main parachute just as his AAD, set for 750 feet, activated his reserve parachute. As the first jumper deployed, the second jumper was observed to track away on his back, roll over face to earth at a very low altitude and deploy his reserve just before striking the ground.

    Investigators found both the cutaway and reserve ripcord handles extracted and close to the body. The reserve canopy had apparently cleared its freebag but had not begun to inflate.

    Toxicology reports showed that the deceased jumper had a blood-alcohol level of .16 percent, twice the .08 legal limit to operate a motor vehicle in most states. The coroner also found cannabinoids (marijuana) but did not specify when the jumper may have last ingested them.

    Use of any intoxicant affects awareness, judgment and motor skills. When combined, their effects become unpredictable. Federal Aviation Regulation 105.7—and, therefore, SIM Section 2-1.B.1 (BSRs)—prohibits jumping under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

    The jumper who was killed wore a visual altimeter but was not equipped with an AAD or an audible altimeter. Section 6-2 of the Skydiver's Information Manual recommends the use of a visual altimeter, an AAD and at least one audible altimeter, preferably two, when freeflying. The use of an automatic activation device may have favorably changed the outcome of this incident.

    Regardless of the personal equipment a jumper carries, it remains the responsibility of every jumper to know his altitude and to deploy a parachute. Every skydiver must deploy in time for a safe landing in a clear area, and the Basic Safety Requirements require that even the most experienced jumpers deploy by 2,000 feet AGL.