SFL-2023-021 · Cause: Landing – problem not involving turn
Partially verified Facts as reported in the sources below. This is not an official investigation.
Incident
- Date
- 20.05.2023
- Country
- USA
- Drop zone
- Skydive Kapowsin
- Place
- Shelton, Washington
- Context
- Student
- Jump type
- AFF
- Role
- Student
- Phase
- Approach & landing
Jumper
- Gender
- Male
- Age
- 33
- Licence
- Student
- Total jumps
- 0
Equipment
- Wing loading
- 0.80 lb/sq ft
Cause
- Category
- Landing – problem not involving turn
- Contributing factors
- Obstacle / off-landing
What happened
First AFF jump, with two instructors. Freefall and opening were normal. He drifted downwind and did not respond to radio instructions. While trying to land clear of obstacles he struck a 50 ft tree; the canopy partly collapsed and he spun to the ground. English was his second language.
Lessons for safety
Students need a clear plan for landing off: pick an open area early. Radio instructions must be understood before the jump.
Sources
- www.uspa.org Federation, USPA 2023 fatality summary, case #5 (anonymous)
Is something wrong or missing? Send a correction and mention SFL-2023-021.