Modified parachute 'factor’ in death

Press, 12 August 1985, Page 5

Modified parachute 'factor’ in death

PA Wellington An inadequate distribution system for manufacturer safety notices contributed to the death of a skydiver, Robert Lawrance Hedgland, near Matamata Aerodrome on August 4 last year. In his report on the accident, the chief inspector of air accidents, Mr Ron Chippindale, said the Sulphur City skydiver had deployed his parachute reserve too late to save himself when his main parachute failed to open. But Mr Chippindale said that modifications to the parachute, and the inadequate method of distributing the maker’s technical updates were factors.

Mr Chippindale recommended a new updating system be used and that substitution of parachute components without testing or maker approval be banned. Mr Chippindale said Mr Hedgland was not familiar with his borrowed Strato Star parachute and was briefed on the special method of deployment and "cut-away” before his first free fall of the day. Mr Hedgland jumped from 2600 metres with another skydiver and they abandoned their joint routine soon after as they were able to match their descent.

The other skydiver deployed his parachute at 1000 metres but Mr Hedgland had begun a series of intentional backward loops and

did not deploy his parachute until 600 metres. The other parachutist and people on the ground were concerned for Mr Hedgland’s safety because of the late deployment.

The parachutist may not have been aware of his height because of the loops, Mr Chippindale said. The ’chute failed to open because a piece of smm elastic had been substituted with a 7mm wide strip and Mr Hedgland might not have precisely followed the maker’s deployment instructions. He also delayed several seconds before deploying his reserve. The reserve had only just opened when Mr Hedgland hit the ground, being killed on impact.