PC Malfunction/Knots

[Donk 0]

In light of the recent Twin Falls tragedy I feel compelled to share a problem I had on one of my jumps two weekends ago at the Royal Gorge and the resulting discussions with sport experts that may help others play safe.

After reviewing my video from the weekend and hearing stories of a fatality in the past I thought I'd post (this is not new information) a word of caution or observation without a solution (manufactured solution that is). Good body position and correct technique is always the best solution.

During one of my aerials I pitched from a heads down orientation with to much forward motion in the pitch and had the opportunity to watch my PC float in my periphery as the bridal unloaded above/behind it. I did not think much of this after I landed as it seemed to be inconsequential...but as I was placing my canopy in the stash bag I noticed a knot in the bridal about six inches down from the mesh on the PC...and thought of this happening 8 inches higher was uncomfortable to say the least..

After several hours of attempting to recreate this in my loft (in a static environment it is very simple) I was only able recreate it once using a weight, 9’ bridal, and 38" PC...again the knot developed in the bridal not the PC but it is possible (as documented in past incident reports) for this to happen on the PC...especially with a hacky and even possibly a “cap” or “external” handle as used in BASE.

There are few obvious instances where the PC and bridal could get out of sequence and create knot...one, on a birdman deployment where the burble has a tendency to create some “interesting” PC action...and two, when doing an aerial, and pitching from a heads down orientation...especially when the PC toss is slightly up or forward as opposed laterally out.

I have talked to several who are considered “experts” in both the aerial and birdman aspects of our sport about this. Apparently there was one birdman fatality (last year) from this type of PC malfunction and I found the knot in my bridal after an aerial scenario similar to what I describe above…so it does happen. I'd be curious to hear the manufactures opinions on this (or others) to see if there have been any attempts at a manufactured solution to prevent this type of PC malfunction. I doubt there is one that wouldn’t likely create more problems than it fixes. Good body position and technique is the best answer.

Play Safe,

Donk
donk@kc.rr.com

[554 0]

Thanks for bringing that up. There was a good little article in Skydiving magazine that showed a picture of a bridle knotted around a hackey handle on a skydive resulting in a PC in tow.
Don't use hackey handle PC's on base jumps.

[TomAiello 26]

I've definitely seen it happen on non-hackey PC's though (as in Donk's case in Colorado--that was, I believe, my 42 A/V [no handle of any kind]).

I need to go out and toss a PC off the roof for a bit, but then I'll try to post some thoughts.

-- Tom Aiello

Tom@SnakeRiverBASE.com
SnakeRiverBASE.com

[obi 0]

I had a knot in the bridle once on a bm-skydive. Although nothing happened, I'm not too keen to experience that in base. Does anybody know what exactly has happened to Cold Steel?

OK, found the answer myself:
http://www.blincmagazine.com/forum/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=7&topic_id=12494&mesg_id=12494&listing_type=search

[PerFlare 0]

Yes, I know.

PerFlare

[obi 0]

Hi PerFlare,

you posted while I edited my post. Do you have any new information?
Obi

[PerFlare 0]

Hi Obi,

I am sorry but I do not understand. New information about what happen that day? In that case, no I do not.

PerFlare

[Faber 0]

i do belive you´ll find all info and links whit info about the accsident herehttp://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?post=244302;search_string=lukas;#244302

Stay safe
Stefan Faber