Updates on Keith from SDC landing accident.

[freeflir29 0]

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but a no flare landing after a conservative flat turn usually won't leave you on a ventilator with several broken bones.

That depends on the canopy. I broke my ass (cocyx) on a no flare landing at 27 jumps. I was OBVIOUSLY under a very light loading. Right around 1:1. Under certain classes of canopies it can easily kill you on the wrong day. I have no idea what this person was flying nor do I know them. I made an incorrect assumption since it is so common. Now.........lets get back to well wishing.

[skydiverbrian 0]

My condolences to Keith and everyone who's surrounding him nursing him back to health. I wish Keith a speedy recovery and everyone else the strength and resolve to hang in there.

On another note, I'm surprised this incident isn't being beat to death in the incidents forum. Does anyone that was there want to offer some insight, or perhaps clarify the details so that others may benefit?

In a world full of people, only some want to fly... isn't that crazy! --Seal

[eeneR 3]

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Please stop hooking yourself into the ground people. That shit hurts as I am sure you know. At least I only hit the pond. Get well soon!

It was not a hook turn or a low turn. It was described as a flat turn with no flare at the end. It is unknown why he didn't flare.

Chris I have to ask you this, it was said many times over that he and his canopy hit the ground at the same time....um Im a bit confused, and yea maybe uncurrent, but that doesnt sound to me as though it is possible in a flat turn.

I know he is your friend, he is a freind to all of us, but short and simple he fucked up ROYALLY. He made a series of bad choices and is paying the consequences. Dont pretend it isnt what it is.

She is not a "Dumb Blonde" - She is a "Light-Haired Detour Off The Information Superhighway."
eeneR
TF#72, FB#4130, Incauto

[warpedskydiver 0]

I guess being honest is not a strong suit here.

hey I may be an asshole but I tell it like it is.

[tigra 0]

Honesty is selective around here!

[skyhands 0]

First of all, this is a follow-up so far (Jan 2007) on my accident (Aug 2006). Probably boring details for those of you who may want to skip it.

Initial injuries:
Shattered C1 vertebrae (Jefferson fracture)
Bruised heart, body bruising
Broken left femur (compound), left side of pelvis (2 places)
Dislocated right foot
Chipped two teeth
Had a rotten rest of the day
Surgeries:
8/06 Rod in left femur (since replaced)
8/06 External fixator for pelvis (since removed)
12/06 Larger rod in left femur (still there)
12/06 Fused bones in right foot

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Please stop hooking yourself into the ground people. That shit hurts as I am sure you know. At least I only hit the pond. Get well soon!

You're right. People need to stop hooking themselves into the ground, and they need to be more aware. "Target fixation" doesn't just mean a fixed object... it could be a fixed routine or fixed landing spot or direction. Land safe, not close, as they say. I see your comment as a good warning in every situation.

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It was not a hook turn or a low turn. It was described as a flat turn with no flare at the end. It is unknown why he didn't flare.

Actually, it was a rather tame turn to get back into the wind, but not as flat as it should have been, that I executed a little lower than I should have. In retrospect, I should've just landed downwind.

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Chris I have to ask you this, it was said many times over that he and his canopy hit the ground at the same time....um Im a bit confused, and yea maybe uncurrent, but that doesnt sound to me as though it is possible in a flat turn.

I know he is your friend, he is a freind to all of us, but short and simple he fucked up ROYALLY. He made a series of bad choices and is paying the consequences. Dont pretend it isnt what it is.

Eener, I'm sorry you're so angry. I'll reply to your opinions directly.

Here's what I can tell from the words of direct spectators and the video camera that was on my head: (BTW- The video from my camera is NOT available. If someone has a copy I don't know of, please just destroy it. It's really personal for me.)

Jumps: 1000
Canopy: Crossfire II 119
Jumps on this canopy: 200+

I had an uneventful skydive. I pulled at a safe altitude. For an unknown reason, I flew down what I believe to be the flight line instead of perpendicular or up it, putting me over the swoop pond at about 1000-1500 ft. I turned south and headed for the main landing area. Nobody was below me, or in my direct line of flight. I was not trying to avoid anyone. I had been practicing a 90 and 180 front riser turn up high for the last couple months leading up to the accident, and usually planed out at 100 feet or more, then went to toggles on landing. I had started practicing rear riser landings up high, and a little on the ground on no-wind days, but had done that maybe a dozen times, and it wasn't part of my routine. I was a bit lower than I normally would be to execute a 180 as I got over the main area, about parallel to the hangar. I did a 180 degree turn, although lower than I'd been practicing. I was leveled out and had stopped most, if not all, of my descent. I didn't seem to flare, and I attribute this to a few possible reasons. I was distracted, I was trying rear risers, or I wasn't aware of my altitude. I would guess rear risers or a (unfortunately) delayed flare. I guess this because I could see the ground and didn't turn my head away as if distracted, according to my video. I surfed for just a second, then slammed face-first into the ground. I have speculated that I may have caught my foot on something on the ground.

Here's what I take from this:

I flew myself downwind, making it harder to be where I wanted for my landing pattern. This may have been an attempt at placing myself in the traffic pattern, but I ended up behind the curve.

I realized I was too far downwind and tried getting back to the main landing area. I could have adjusted a little and landed safely near the pond, off to one side to avoid swoopers.

Once I'd committed to the main landing area, I realized (on video, I don't know my thoughts from that day, as I can't remember it.) I was lower than I'd like to execute the turn. I could have executed a flatter turn or landed downwind. Instead, I tried landing into the wind. On the canopy I flew, I probably thought in the air that I was high enough. On a larger canopy, I think I could have turned and been safe.

On landing, I either caught a foot, used rear risers when a toggle should have been used, or didn't flare. Knowing that I was lower than I'm used to coming out of that turn, I should have taken more aggressive action on landing.

This could have turned out alright. There was nothing dramatically wrong or frightening about the landing. If the winds had been a little strong for my flare, if I'd turned just a touch higher, if my foot hadn't caught on the ground, if I would've flared harder, if I would've gone cross-wind or down-wind... there are many "if"s and we've all heard that it's rarely one horrible mistake, but instead a bunch of small ones that add up to an event like this. Keep in mind that when you're on a skydive and think "eh, it's not that bad", open your eyes wider and realize that it could get worse if you're not always on top of your game. I'm lucky that I'll get over my injuries and just have a better guess as to when the weather is going to change. Not everyone gets that luck, so be careful.

I'd like to also clear up some of the speculations and rumors:

The canopy didn't hit at the same time or before I did. I was well under the canopy from people's observations and my video.

I didn't lose any teeth. I chipped my two front teeth, which have since been capped.

I didn't break my right leg, ribs, facial bones or others. I broke my pelvis, left femur, and dislocated my right foot. My heart was bruised, as was a lot of my body.

I was not avoiding someone else's canopy, nor was I fixated on another jumper.

Finally, I want to thank Taneva, my parents, my family, friends, all the people who were at my side, offered encouraging words, gave me a reason to smile, or donated their time or money to help me get through those first few weeks, and the time since the accident. I can't thank you enough, and I hope you know you mean so much to me. I'm lucky to have such a great skydiving family.

That's all I can think of right now. Please send me a personal message if you have any further questions or comments. If you don't have anything nice to say, keep it to yourself. I posted as much detail as I could in the interest of learning from it, not to open a flame war.

[ACMESkydiver 0]

Thank God you're ok (relatively speaking).

Heal quickly.

~Jaye
Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action.

[lilDevil 2]

You can ask but I doubt he"ll remember !
The main thing is hes recovering and has the support of his family and all you guys who know him.

Hope he makes a fast recovery and home soon.

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" Cant keep a good woman down "
Angels have wings, but devils can fly !