beau31duke 0 #1 February 23, 2003 Sunday, February 23 Gusting winds put parachutists in peril Associated Press ROCKINGHAM, N.C. -- Three Army skydivers were injured Sunday when strong wind knocked them to the ground before a NASCAR race. A group of eight jumpers from the U.S. Army Special Operations Command Parachute team from Fort Bragg came sailing into the track area, trailing red smoke as part of the pre-race activities for the Subway 400 at North Carolina Speedway. With wind up to 40 mph, one jumper was carried away from his targeted landing on the track and into the infield, where he appeared to bounce off the top of a tractor-trailer before landing on the ground, his chute caught on the antenna of a van. He was airlifted to Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte. Another jumper sailed into the garage area and bounced off the top of Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s hauler. He landed between race team trucks and a fence. That jumper, as well as a third who landed hard on the asphalt of the track, were taken to Womack Army Hospital in Fayetteville for treatment of minor injuries. Track personnel did not immediately have their names or any other information about them. At least two jumpers nailed their landings on the front stretch of the race track. Another skydiver never made it to the track, landing outside the Turn 1 grandstands. http://espn.go.com/rpm/wc/2003/0223/1513234.html Beau Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #2 February 23, 2003 clickety-click One wonders if they had PRO ratings."The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kingbunky 3 #3 February 23, 2003 i was watching on tv and figured the jump would be called off because of the wind.. 40mph for a demo? i thought everything had to be almost perfect before a demo... "Hang on a sec, the young'uns are throwin' beer cans at a golf cart." MB4252 TDS699 killing threads since 2001 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Raefordite 0 #4 February 23, 2003 Phone calls are being made to find out who and how seriously injuried. We know and love all these guys. They all jump and train here at Raeford. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coconutmonkey 0 #5 February 23, 2003 Quote clickety-click One wonders if they had PRO ratings. Yes, everyone that jumped has a PRO rating. Word straight from the horses mouth is that winds were within limits and the canopy flight was smooth down to the ground for the first guys, then a 40mph gust came through and picked everyone not already down and sent them flying backwards into the infield. More laterHearts & Minds 2 to the Heart- 1 to the Mind- Home of the Coconut Lounge, Spa, & Artillery Range Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WFFC 1 #6 February 23, 2003 Quote i thought everything had to be almost perfect before a demo... When you're 'owned' by the government, you go when they turn the green light on... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
coconutmonkey 0 #7 February 23, 2003 The USASOC demo team has three full-time members: SFC Johnny Mulford, the former Golden Knights Gold Demonstration Team Leader; and two riggers. Every other member of the team is an active duty soldier from within the command. This is the team that I was on. Anyway, being voluntary, "the government" didn't have anything to do with it. The call to "go" came from the designated jumpmaster, Stu Goodall. ChuckHearts & Minds 2 to the Heart- 1 to the Mind- Home of the Coconut Lounge, Spa, & Artillery Range Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SkymonkeyONE 4 #8 February 23, 2003 By the way, that was me posting under Tom's login. Chuck Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pammi 0 #9 February 23, 2003 QuotePhone calls are being made to find out who and how seriously injuried. We know and love all these guys. They all jump and train here at Raeford. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers. That's terrible. We will be thinking of them. Pam Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
weegegirl 2 #10 February 23, 2003 That really, really sucks. I seriously hope that they all recover quickly. However, come on, 40 mph!!!!???? Even if a gust came out of nowhere, the winds must have been pretty high to get up to 40. Regardless, I really do hope they are okay. They are all in my thoughts. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tlshealy 0 #11 February 24, 2003 In a really high profile demo you always want to go, I,m sure they had a ground crew telling them the ground winds, and while a bit high, were probably with-in their limits when they exited. Hind sight being 20-20, of course no publicity would have been better than bad publicity. Hope the guys are OK, Tad No sky too high, no show too low Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mouth 0 #12 February 24, 2003 Sorry to hear the guys had a tough time of it. Driving in it was terrible at times so I can't imagine jumping in it. My thoughts and prayers are with the guys (some of whom I assume I met last night). Please keep us posted. -- Hot Mama At least you know where you stand even if it is in a pile of shit. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Iflyme 0 #13 February 24, 2003 Hope these jumpers are not severly injured ... It would seem they made the wrong choice. Let's all learn from this.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Trevor 0 #14 February 24, 2003 In typical newsmedia fashion, the crashes at a NASCAR event get the most press. I hope our jumpers are back in action soon. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #15 February 24, 2003 Without knowing the exact metrological conditions at the time of the jump, lemme just pop in and say that it's more than possible that winds can go from 0 to well over 40 mph in the span of less than a minute.For example, one way this can happen is called a microburst and has been responsible for several very large aircraft accidents.Again, I'm not saying that this was the case in this particular incident, but just because the winds got up to 40 mph in a small span of time does not, in itself, mean that anyone was at fault for giving the green light on the jump.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jceman 1 #16 February 24, 2003 True, but i was watching the pre-race coverage this afternoon and they were talking about the 25 mph winds with gusts to 40 and how/if they would affect the cars on the track. This was not a momentary weather event. I was not there and will not badmouth anyone involved, but it seems to me the decision to jump was a poor one. Then again, I have the advantage of hindsight. The report on ESPN's SportsCenter was that the jumper airlifted out was in good shape and that the other two were treated and released. This is good news. Faster horses, younger women, older whiskey, more money. Why do they call it "Tourist Season" if we can't shoot them? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shark 0 #17 February 24, 2003 Hope those guys are okay. Your old teammates? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bmcd308 0 #18 February 24, 2003 Ouch. That second photo looks like it is going to hurt... You know there's some serious canopy counseling in progress in that picture - "Look, you muther *&^%er, get the $%^& back over my head and flare your ^&*(ing &*( off, because you backed us into a !@#$ing parking lot and there's no #$%^ing good places to ^&*@ing land around here..." At least, when I wound up having to take a high speed downwinder into a muddy, freshly plowed field, that's what I was doing. Canopy cursing started at about 100 feet and continued until my mouth filled with dirt. Brent ---------------------------------- www.jumpelvis.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Conquest150 0 #19 February 25, 2003 well i am one of the injured jumpers son. i know its not a good thing to release the names and injuries but they are already released so i will go ahead and post what my father and i know as of now. my father Stu Goodall(the jumpmasterof the jump will post the actual incident report when it is put out.) suffered 2 broken bones in his ankle and 2 breaks in his lower leg. Tony dill suffered some pulled muscles in his back and a broken bone in his hand. Jesse Peterson suffered a cut above his eye and has been given stitches. And Leonard Keiser is the one who was medevaced and they did a CAT scan on him and everything came back positive. That is all i know right now and like i said above when the incident report is put out there will be a post on this website. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shark 0 #20 February 25, 2003 Thanks for the update. I hope all of you have a fast recovery. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Raefordite 0 #21 February 25, 2003 Greg: Thanks for the update. Your Dad is a good guy and I know he works by the books. I saw and spoke with Tony D. today. I hope this doesn't rearrange any military careers due to their injuries. blue skies and calm winds, Kate Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kingbunky 3 #22 February 26, 2003 Some more comments on last Sunday's incident at the NASCAR race, from 'the boys of track smack'... these comments were at the end of the article. I have no doubt they no nothing about skydiving, but it's another whuffo point of view... Lee Montgomery: Speaking of falling, who was the moron that said it was OK for those parachutists to jump in 40 mph wind? Dave Rodman: I am not going to Monday morning quarterback military professionals. If they did not think they could do it, they would not have tried. It was unfortunate their judgment was flawed, though. Ryan Smithson: Lee, they said they had jumped in that type wind before. Those guys were high-ranking officers. Lee Montgomery: Sure didn't look like it. Marty Smith: Maybe so, Ryan. But did they do it with 40,000 fans and 100 trucks and a fence and asphalt around them? Ryan Smithson: Lee, you ever been skydiving? Lee Montgomery: No. Why would anyone want to jump out of a perfectly good airplane? Ryan Smithson: What if it isn't perfectly good? Then you must jump."Hang on a sec, the young'uns are throwin' beer cans at a golf cart." MB4252 TDS699 killing threads since 2001 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DaGimp 0 #23 February 26, 2003 ok i have been pre-occupied with work lately and havent had a chance to read this thread till now, and needless to say that i am less then pleased wit hsome of the comments. All that i ask is think about what you say in the public eye because you never know how close to home you may be hitting to others hearing or reading. I know all of those guys well and i feel that no one has the right to say weather the were right or wrong, just that we hope our friends recover as well as i did after my injury."Professor of Pimpology"~~~Bolas Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Faber 0 #24 February 27, 2003 Quote I have no doubt they no nothing about skydiving, but it's another whuffo point of view... Yes or you have no interres in our sport.. Speaking of falling, who was the moron that said it was OK for those parachutists to jump in 40 mph wind? Quote Yes and who would jump that?If i told you guys to jump in a container of S### would you then do so? Quote Lee, they said they had jumped in that type wind before. Those guys were high-ranking officers. Do they still have their jobs?Hope they can make better desisions that jump in thouse circumstanses Quote Lee Montgomery: Sure didn't look like it. You are so rigth sir,our apoliges for showing our loved sport in that way Quote Lee Montgomery: No. Why would anyone want to jump out of a perfectly good airplane? Ryan Smithson: What if it isn't perfectly good? Then you must jump. BLA BLA BLA it aint a movi,we jump becours we love the feeling and the way we have fun whith our freinds I really hope thouse jumpers heal well and fast,but that were 1 F###### stupied jump,it didnt help our sport at all,and ill bet Narcar will think twice before ordering a demo againHeal fast,and learn or your mistakes Stay safe Stefan Faber Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Medic1210 0 #25 March 18, 2003 I know this happened almost a month ago, but I just found this site today, and posted this in the incident section. I'll repost it here because this area probably gets more traffic. Anyway, if you read it in the incident section, please disregard. I just figured you guys would like a first hand account of some of what went on that day. Quote: Hey guys, I just stumbled across this site, and did a search for this incident. I know I'm a FNG, but I've made a few (10) recreational jumps in the past, and would love to get back into the sport someday. Sorry to dig this thread back up, but I wanted to see if this incident had been heard about because I didn't see it in the news section. Anyway, I figured I could give some insight to this incident that isn't given in the press releases. I work as a Paramedic in Rockingham, and was working on our Bike team at the race when this incident happened. When I knew there were going to be problems, my partner and I were able to position our bikes near the spot where a couple of the guys landed. I have read all the posts on this, and a lot of you have criticized them for jumping. I can honestly say that I myself was thinking, "Are they really gonna jump in this wind?!" when the helecopter was on jump run. You see, the wind was steady all day long at 15-30mph with gusts of 50mph. This is straight from the Weather Channel. I don't know exactly what it was at the exact time of the jump, but I do know that it was faster than anything I would jump in. I spoke with one of the guys that wasn't injured about the wind after the jump and questioned what the max speed they could jump was. He said they could jump in 18 knot winds, which IIRC translates to roughly 21mph. He said they were radioed from the ground that the wind was 8 knots, but when they jumped, they could tell it was much faster than 8 knots. Even still, he said the wind wasn't the problem, but instead the turbulence was. He said it collapsed 3 cells of one guys chute. Now, hindsight is 20/20, but from what I learned about the wind and turbulence, it can affect your flight several hundred feet away from the object causing it, ie trees etc. Well, picture the race track, and you see one big bowl. That thing causes wind patterns that are all kinds of crazy. I'm at that track working various things several times each month, and I can tell you first hand that you can have a very slight breeze outside the track, but inside, the breeze can be several mph, and swirrling all different directions. As far as the wind not being the problem, I don't see how that could be true because as these guys turned final, the wind was blowing so hard it was carrying them backwards, and not slowly at that. Basically they were along for the ride. That's when I really knew there was going to be problems, and positioned myself accordingly. I was right there when the first one bounced off one trailer, then hit another and fell to the ground. He sustained a couple cuts on his face, and bruised or cracked ribs where he hit the corner of the other trailer. He is the one that was transported by one of our ground units to FirstHealth Moore Regional in Pinehurst to a plastic surgeon. The second one that I went to after our other medics got on scene was the one that was flown out. Basically, what happened to this guy was, he came in backwards, and landed on a trailer, but was pulled off by the wind. He then fell to the ground, and hit his head on a wooden box, knocking him unconscious. He was semi-conscious when I got to him. I placed him on oxygen as one of our transport units arrived. I radioed the flight team from CMC, who was already there on standby, and told them to get the bird ready to fly this guy out. I had to cut his container off his back so we could place him in full spinal precautions. He was transported to the helicopter, and flown to CMC in Charlotte. I believe they ruled his injury as a concussion. As far as the one that fell between Dale Jr's trailer, he was extremely lucky, as he landed just on the other side of a wrought iron fence with the spikes on top. He came very close to getting impaled. If I'm not mistaken also, the one that made the hard landing on the pavement is the one that broke his ankle. He, and I believe the other guy that nearly got impaled were transported by one of our ground units to Womak military hospital in Fayetteville. So, basically the wind was probably too fast to make the jump. They were given bad info from the ground. The wind does all kind of crazy stuff inside the track, especially near the ground. I can only imagine trying to land into the wind, and getting pushed backwards towards all the trailers and other obstacles. These guys did a good job of not getting hurt any worse than they were. Just thought you guys would appreciate a little first hand information from somebody that was there and saw it happen. The following is something I posted on another forum I frequent, so the it is just pasted from this thread: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=244592&highlight=Work with a link to the pictures of the incident. You can see this link to the pictures at http://foxsports.lycos.com/named/Index/Auto. Scroll down to where it says Photo Central on the right side. Click the one labled Skydivers Crash. There are 7 different photos. The first photo shows the one we airlifted to Charlotte as he is trying to land (UPDATED: I just noticed that the first pic shows a guy wearing a camera setup on his helmet, so this isn't the one we airlifted to CMC. He wasn't wearing a helmet) Note that he is actually being blown backwards. The second photo shows one of the skydivers that nearly got impaled on a fence, which you see right beside him. He ended up with a minor back injury and was transported to Womak Military hospital in Fayetteville, NC. He is the skydiver also shown in photo 7 just before landing (you can clearly see how close he came to getting impaled, since he actually landed on the other side of it). The third photo shows the guy from the first photo, as we are taking him to the helicopter. I'm blocked in that picture, but you can see my partner for that day wearing the bicycle helmet and dayglo yellow jacket. The guy in the 4th photo is getting dragged down the track as an official tries to deflate his chute. I believe he broke an ankle and wrist. Not really sure if that is the one or not, as I wasn't involved in his treatment. Not sure if the guy in the 5th photo was injured or not. He might be the one that broke his ankle and wrist. The 6th photo just shows them as a group after jumping. The 7th is the one from the 2nd photo. You can see him almost landing on the fence. He actually came down on the other side, in between two car haulers. He was extremely lucky that he missed the fence. Oh, well, just thought you guys might like to see some of the pics. I hate I was blocked out from that one. Oh well, such is life. Blue Skies, Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
