| Date | Location | Category | Age | # Jumps | AAD?/RSL? | Dropzone.com Report | Dropzone.com Discussion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18/05/2002 | Skydive Chicago, IL | FFCOL | 28 | 700 | Y/N | |||
| Description: This experienced jumper, on the instructional staff , went on a 2-way freefly with a low time (~35 jumps in 3 seasons) jumper. They went out launching a two way head down. The best understanding is that the deceased dove hard on the other (low inexperienced) jumper after their two way launch was released. The low time jumper did not stay stable in the head down position and transitioned to a sit. At that time, the deceased struck the foot of the low time jumper and was knocked unconcious. He fell unstable until impact. No handles were pulled. The CYPRES installed did not fire. The low time jumper was not able to reach the deceased in air before he had to save his own life and deploy his main. The CYPRES appears to have been off for this jump. | ||||||||
| Lessons:The speed differences possible (50 mph is easy) between freefliers accentuate the need for a (functioning) automatic deployment device. Had the device been on and functional, you wouldn't be reading this. | ||||||||
| USPA Description: This skydive involved a freefly training jump with a USPA Instructor coaching a jumper with 35 skydives. The pair began head down, and the less-experienced jumper transitioned to a sit position sometime after the exit. The instructor was still head down when he struck the shoulder and knee of the other jumper. This apparently knocked the instructor unconcious, and he fell to the ground without deploying either parachute. | ||||||||
| USPA Conclusions:The level of freefly experience of the USPA Instructor was not reported. Fall rates can vary drastically during a freefly skydive, especially when either of the jumpers is new to the discipline. New jumpers are prone to losing balance and control and suddenly reverting to more familiar, slower falling positions, or "corking." Until they are completely comfortable with their partners, freeflyers should remain on level when in close proximity and not maneuver directly above one another. The instructor was wearing a hard helmet and was equipped with an AAD. The AAD had cut the loop of the reserve, but damage to the unit made it difficult to determine whether the unit had malfunctioned or was turned off and activated on impact. It was sent to the manufacturer in Germany for testing. |
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| Name | John Faulkner | |||||||