Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sdd.hp.com!hp-pcd!hpcvia!kas
From: kas@hpcvia.CV.HP.COM (ken_scofield)
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
Subject: Re: Mid air canopy crash
Message-ID: <42640005@hpcvia.CV.HP.COM>
Date: 13 Feb 91 20:53:56 GMT
References: <1991Feb12.205904.20430@eng.ufl.edu>
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Co., Corvallis, Oregon
Lines: 45

>From: esj@gnarley.eng.ufl.edu (Eric S. Johnson)
>Subject: Mid air canopy crash
>Message-ID: <1991Feb12.205904.20430@eng.ufl.edu>
>
>
>Two jumpers in collided shortly after opening. The two women were doing a 
>two-way from 9500. Immediatly after they dumped at ~2500' they collided.
>The lower persons chute collapsed and entangled around the higher person.
>
>This is the direct quote from the newspaper:
>"In the few seconds after ther chutes opened at about 2500 feet, before 
>the second or two it takes to gain control of the direction of glide, 
>skydiver#1's parachute tangled around skydiver#2's face"
>
>With only one good chute (and it in a spin) they fell pretty fast and crashed
>onto a tin roof. Both survived. The lower person has some fairly serious
>neck injuries, but is expected to recover completly. The upper person
>was treated and released. 
>
>
>So my question is: (and this is only on the hypothetical level, I don't 
>question the judgement of anyone who lives thru situtations like these ;-)
>
>Why didn't the lower person cut away. From the article it seems they 
>had the altitude?

  Just an anecdote:  I had exactly the same experience a few years ago.
  I was the "top" person, and my canopy was fully open and functional.
  The jumper hanging below me had lots of time (relatively speaking) to
  assess the situation.  We even "discussed" the best course of action -- 
  stay together or cut away -- for nearly a minute.  He finally decided
  to cut away, and we both landed without further incident.

  In the story above, it appears the top canopy was dropping pretty fast
  due to the spin, but even so, they were probably dropping much slower
  than a 'garbage ball' malfunction.  I see no reason why the bottom jumper
  would not have had plenty of time to cut away.  Brainlock, I suppose.

                 Ken Scofield           C-9355  SSI #453890085
      ^          Hewlett-Packard, ICO   Phone:  (503)750-2426
|----/-\----|    1020 NE Circle Blvd.   (kas@hpcvia.CV.HP.COM)
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| Divin' or |                          
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