pilotdave 0 #1 July 19, 2002 Heard on the news there was an accident at CPI. I didn't catch the whole thing and ya never know what they'll report, but it sounded like a landing accident. I believe they said he's in critical condition. Anyone know more? Dave Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rhonda66 0 #2 July 19, 2002 http://www.msnbc.com/local/WVIT/A1260735.asp Unfortunately it seems to be true - my thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved Rhonda PP ASEL Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rhonda66 0 #3 July 19, 2002 Here's the article since I couldn't get the link right... Skydiver Killed After Accident While Landing ELLINGTON, Conn., 7:31 a.m. EDT July 19, 2002 - There has been another parachuting accident near Ellington. State police said that a skydiver died at St. Francis Hospital after being injured while attempting to land near Ellington Airport at about noon Thursday. Ray Lavalee, 34, of Manchester sustained serious injuries after the landing. Authorities said that LaValee victim was an experienced jumper and that his parachute did open. Witnesses said that he landed hard and tripped. In May, a 47-year old instructor was killed in an accident at the airport. Robert Bonadies died after helping a student pull her parachute cord. An investigation showed he was not high enough above the ground when he finally pulled his own rip cord.Rhonda PP ASEL Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nws01 0 #4 July 19, 2002 Blue skies brother... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diverdriver 6 #5 July 19, 2002 My condolences...... Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hobbes4star 0 #6 July 19, 2002 Blue Skies.....if fun were easy it wouldn't be worth having, right? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Donna 0 #7 July 19, 2002 Here's an e-mail I just got of newspaper article on it. Skydiver Dies After Landing Goes Awry Manchester Man, 34, Was Trying High-Speed Maneuver July 19, 2002 By CHRISTINE DEMPSEY, Courant Staff Writer ELLINGTON -- A parachutist died early today of injuries suffered when attempting an advanced maneuver during his landing at Ellington Airport. Raymond Lavallee, 34, of Manchester, died at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center, spokesman Pete Mobilia said. Lavallee was taken there after the accident Thursday by helicopter from Rockville General Hospital in Vernon. It was the second fatal skydiving accident at the airport since early May. Shortly before noon, Lavallee jumped out of a Twin Otter airplane at 3,000 feet while others stayed in the plane for a jump from a higher altitude. His canopy opened without a problem, said Ted Ganger of Rocky Hill, an instructor and one of the skydivers inside the plane. As he approached the ground, Lavallee performed a "low hook," Ganger said. In the maneuver, the parachutist swoops downward and speeds along almost parallel to the ground. The skydiver then touches down lightly, running along until he or she slows to a halt. Ganger said that Lavallee appeared to trip as he ran along, falling face down. "Initial information reveals that he came down under a full canopy and he hit the ground extremely hard," said Sgt. Bill Konieczny of the Troop C barracks. Lavallee lost consciousness and was unresponsive, he said. The state police and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating. Ganger said that Lavallee had been jumping at the airport for three to five years and had made about 500 jumps. Lavallee, who was a bartender in Manchester, was a member of Connecticut Parachutists Inc., the nonprofit skydiving club based at the airport. High-performance landings are becoming popular, but even some experts believe they are dangerous, according to Parachutist magazine, a publication of the United States Parachutist Association. In his article in the magazine's February edition, Kevin Gibson wrote: "High-performance landings present many more opportunities for a jumper to make a mistake, and the higher speeds make the results more serious." Thursday's accident was the second since May 6, when instructor Robert "Bobo" Bonadies, 47, fell to his death after helping a student pull her parachute cord. A police investigation showed that Bonadies had no chance to pull his own cord. He was president of the Connecticut Parachutists and had jumped from a plane more than 2,000 times. Courant Staff Writer Tina A. Brown contributed to this story. Deepest condolences to all Ray's friends and family. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
freeflir29 0 #8 July 19, 2002 Wow....now that is a well written article. No bullshit....even explained a HP landing in layman's terms. Too bad the subject sucks!!! BSBD..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
f1freak 0 #9 July 19, 2002 Good article, but i think it over simplifies the accident. or put it this way, I can see this being used as ammo for the whuffo law makers to add restrictions to our sport trying to "save us from hurting ourselves" (a lot of people never thought they would see helmet laws). i almost think it's better when they stick to the "standard reports", something to think about...HAVE FUN... ...JUST DONT DIE Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dbattman 0 #10 July 19, 2002 Another member lost to a hook turn with only a few hundred jumps. The question that never seems to be answered is "why." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gravitysurf808 0 #11 July 19, 2002 Blue Skies Forever Raymond. Warm wishes and condolences to family and loved ones alike. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bbarnhouse 0 #12 July 20, 2002 Blues......... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #13 July 20, 2002 Ciels, big white puffies, and Godspeed to him. My deepest condolences to his family and those who knew him. Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
