Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!sdd.hp.com!hplabs!hpfcso!hpfelg!larry
From: larry@hpfelg.HP.COM (Larry Chapman X3117)
Newsgroups: rec.skydiving
Subject: Fatality In Colorado
Message-ID: <2020013@hpfelg.HP.COM>
Date: 18 Mar 91 21:28:37 GMT
Organization: HP Elec. Design Div. -FtCollins
Lines: 32


For the first  time in over ten years  (and > 120,000  jumps)  the  Skydive
Colorado  (used  to be  Skys  West)  drop  zone in Fort  Collins,  Colorado
suffered a fatality.  The  previous  fatalities  were the infamous  mid-air
collision between a jump plane and a commuter aircraft under VFR conditions
-- but that's another story.

Here's the story:

  A level IV AFF  student  doing his 5th jump (2nd of the day)  pulled  his
cutaway handle at pull time instead of his main rip cord.  The student then
became  "disoriented",  went into a flat spin on his back, and never pulled
his main or reserve rip cords.

  The jump master  reportedly  followed  the student to around 1000' trying
for a "save" then pulled.


What could have saved this student?

  1) A jumpmaster that didn't let him "get away".
  2) An AAD that worked (they, like altimeters don't work well in a burble like
     encountered when you are upside down).
  3) Pulling the main rip cord (a Stevens line was in place).
  4) Pulling the reserve rip cord.


I believe that this is the first "legal" AFF student fatality.


-- LSC