SAR
Tech Parachute Injury
09
August 2001
Midway, BC
The accident crew departed 19 Wing Comox
at approximately 0900 hrs with a plan to conduct SAR
training at the Midway airport.
A bundle drop went as planned, except
that one of the bundles landed in the middle of the
runway. Although there was a bare minimum of unobstructed
runway available for the Buffalo to land on safely,
the crew decided to dispatch the SAR Techs to clear
away the bundle.
The weather at the time of the jump was
Sky Condition Clear, wind 2-3 kts, and temperature 31°C.
The elevation at Midway is 1896 feet ASL.
The Team Member exited the aircraft first,
followed by the Team Lead, for a planned crosswind pattern
to the drop zone.
From an altitude of approximately 500
feet AGL, the Team Lead observed the Team Member hit
the ground feet first, fall back on his buttocks, and
then lay, unmoving, on the ground. As the Team Member
complained of pain in his back and was unable to raise
himself, the Team Lead directed the Team Member to lay
still and await further assistance.
An ambulance arrived on scene within 15
minutes of the accident. The ambulance crew stabilized
the Team Member and placed him in a back brace.
The Buffalo landed once the Team Member
was clear of the runway. The Team Member was loaded
on board and then flown to 19 Wing Comox where he was
examined at the local hospital. He was later transferred
by CH-113 to Vancouver General Hospital's Spinal Centre.
The Midway airport elevation is 1896 feet
ASL. At the time of the accident the winds were 3 knots
and the temperature was 31° C, producing a density
altitude of approximately 4200 feet.
Causes and Contributing Factors
Cause
The Team Member flared too high on landing
and stalled the parachute's canopy close to the ground.
The TM then hit the ground heels first with his legs
slightly apart and sustained a serious injury.
Contributing Factor
The Team Member was pre-conditioned to
flare higher than normal due to the high density altitude
and low wind speed at the time of the jump.
Safety Measures Taken
Due to a faster-than-anticipated rate
of canopy deterioration noted in the CSAR-4 parachute
fleet, the CF is in the process of acquiring a replacement
for the CSAR-4 parachute.
The unit of occurrence has briefed its
SAR Techs on the risks of high density altitude operations
and the requirement to always be prepared to carry out
a PLF.
A new parachute simulator has been approved
and funded for the CFSSAR.
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