SFL-2026-025 · Cause: Equipment problem
Unconfirmed Facts as reported in the sources below. This is not an official investigation.
Incident
- Date
- 02.10.2026
- Country
- Czech Republic
- Place
- Between Klatovy and Točník
- Context
- Sport / fun jump
- Jump type
- Belly / RW
- Phase
- Deployment
- Exit altitude
- 13,000 ft
Jumper
- Gender
- Male
- Age
- 51
- Nationality
- Poland
- Total jumps
- 1,000
Equipment
- Main canopy
- JFX 119 sq ft
- Wing loading
- 1.90 lb/sq ft
Cause
- Category
- Equipment problem
- Malfunction
- Line twists
- Contributing factors
- Procedures not followed
What happened
On 2 October 2026, a 51-year-old Polish skydiver died following a parachute malfunction during a group jump near Klatovy, in the Plzeň Region of the Czech Republic.
The jump was part of an international event held in connection with the 40th anniversary of the Pink Skyvan aircraft. The deceased was participating in a group jump with approximately 14 other skydivers, as part of preparations for a planned demonstration.
According to a statement from the event organizer, reported by Polish and Czech media, the skydiver exited the aircraft at approximately 4,000 metres above ground level. The freefall phase was reportedly uneventful. After deployment of the main parachute, however, the suspension lines became twisted.
The resulting configuration reportedly developed into an uncontrolled rotational descent. A representative of the Czech Institute for Professional Air Accident Investigation stated in comments reported by Novinky that the line problem probably caused the skydiver to enter an uncontrollable spin and descend rapidly. The reserve parachute was reportedly not deployed.
The skydiver struck a field between Klatovy and Točník, approximately 750 metres from Klatovy-Chaloupky Airport. Emergency medical personnel and an air ambulance responded and attempted advanced resuscitation, but the man died at the scene.
The other members of the group were not reported to have been injured.
Primary sources: Novinky.cz, 2 October 2026; Polsat News, 2 October 2026; TN.cz, 2 October 2026.
Lessons for safety
This incident illustrates the potential consequences of a main-parachute deployment problem involving twisted suspension lines and a rapidly developing, uncontrolled descent. The available reports do not establish whether the reserve system was activated, whether activation was attempted, or whether the malfunction affected the skydiver's ability to initiate emergency procedures.
Sources
- www.polsatnews.pl Media
Is something wrong or missing? Send a correction and mention SFL-2026-025.