1 Matches (out of a total of 833 incidents)
  1. Date Location Category Age # Jumps AAD?/RSL? Dropzone.com Report Dropzone.com Discussion
    04/07/1998 Skydive Chicago, IL LAND 35 500 N/Y    
    Description: This is updated information for the fatality on Sat. July 4 '98.The formal investigation was completed Wednesday July 8 '98 by the FAA,LaSalle County Sheriff, and an S&TA Equipment:Main Triathlon 170 (7 cell), Reserve Raven 2 with RSL in place and no AAD, Container Javelin J4, Chest mount Alt. and Jack knife (still in place), Collapsible slider. The jumper was found approximately 400 yards from where he had opened withboth brakes off and the slider had been collapsed.This indicates that the jumper was conscious, aware, and in control of his canopy after opening.From witness reports he had exited from 13,000 feet with 6 other jumpers onan organized dive.After a few failed attempts to dock with the others he tracked away andpulled at approx. 3,000 feet.An S&TA saw the jumper spiral for the last 200 feet before impact. He was found with his right foot entangled in the right risers.The main canopy was inspected and found in good condition.The jumper had over 500 jumps most of which were successful CReW jumps.From his experience, body position, and extreme spiraling action, it is believed that once he had flown back to the airport he had attempted to invert himself in the harness, perhaps attempting a handstand on top of his slider, while steering wit his foot in the cascades of the suspension lines. During this maneuver, he likely entangled his right foot in the risers/lines forcing a normally docile canopy into an extreme spiral.This radical of a spin under this type of canopy cannot be achieved with any kind of toggle action.
    Lessons:This would have been better attempted at a much higher altitude.
    Name
    Daniel S. Briggs