Skydiver dies in Wichita?!

[Pammi 0]

I doubt that anyone has information on this yet, but here is what we heard so far:
We stopped at a new DZ for a jump in Kingman, KS on the way to visit family in Dodge City. Not long after we left there, my mom called panicked to see if we were okay. I'd told her what our plans were, and while watching the news, she'd heard that someone, a male in his mid-20's, had died while skydiving near Wichita. I believe it was at Air Capital Skydiving near Derby, just south of Wichita, and not the one we went to just west of Wichita an hour or so before. We watched the news when we got to Dodge City ourselves and all they had to say was that the parachute opened initially but was observed spinning. That's it! I'm sure there is more to the story then this simple explanation, but regardless, our deepest condolences to the family and friends of this unknown skydiver.
Pammi
Some newpics.

[ADRNALN 0]

This was posted on rec.skydiving:
"Geoff Peggs, Age 21, died in a skydiving accident on Friday, June 15th in
Wichita, Kansas.
Geoff was making his 5th or 6th jump with a Birdman suit when he exited the
Cessna 182 from 11,000 feet. Witnesses on the ground observed deployment at an
estimated 4,000 feet AGL. The main parachute started to spin immediately after
deployment and continued until impact. The Coroner stated that the injuries
sustained upon impact caused immediate death.
Two USPA S&TA's, in cooperation with the Sedgwick County Sheriff and Coroners
office conducted the investigation at the scene. The investigation showed that
the right suspension lines were routed under Geoff's right arm and wrapped
tightly around his right leg. The slider was wrapped around his right foot..
The canopy, a cobalt 150, was fully deployed but with this "horsehoe"
malfunction the canopy started an unrecoverable spin. The cutaway handle was
unaccessible because of the way the suspension lines pressed the birdman wing
against his body, totally covering the cutaway handle. It is the consensus of
the two S&TA's investigating this incident that even if Geoff could have cut
away, the suspension lines were so severely wrapped around the arms, legs, and
foot that it would not have made a difference in clearing the malfunction.
The reserve was not deployed, but the reserved handle was dislodged, most
likely as a result of impact.
The S&TA's concur in their opinion that this incident was probably the result
of deploying in an unstable body position. We have no way of knowing for sure
if the Birdman suit was the only contributing factor, but since Geoff was a
jumper with approx 300 jumps and no history of problems prior to this incident,
Geoff's limited experience with the Birdman suit was most likely a factor in
creating an unstable body position at deployment, resulting in a horsehoe
malfunction. Unfortunately, because of the nature of this particular
situation, Geoff was left with little or no options to correct the situation.
Geoff was an INCREDIBLE guy. He seemed to fit in wherever he jumped and truly
had a passion for skydiving. He was a student at Kansas State University and
was planning an exciting career in aviation. He will be greatly missed by all
of us.
The funeral arrangments are being handled by Downing & Lahey Mortuary in
Wichita, Kansas (316)682-4553. The funeral is scheduled for Wednesday, June
20th. Please call the mortuary for the exact time. I think the best thing we
can do to show our support for Geoff's family is to attend the funeral. The
family knows how much skydiving meant to Geoff. We need to show them how much
Geoff meant to us.
God Speed Geoff!
Phil Haase, Owner
Air Capital Skydiving Center
Wichita, Kansas
(316)776-1700"

[Pammi 0]

My deepest condolenses Geoff's family and friends. I actually had the priviledge of talking to him online a few times when I first started jumping about a year ago and he seemed to be a great guy.
Brit, I believe you knew him well...if you're reading this, I'm very sorry. My prayers will be with you also.
Pam
Some newpics.

[rsboehner 0]

This is my first post on these boards, but I've been frequenting them for the last couple months. I am a student at KSU as well and made my first jump last October. I made my second jump in January and had slowly been working on getting my A license since. Geoff was my jumpmaster, and an extremely knowledgeable one at that.
Geoff will be seriously missed, not only by me, but by many people in the skydiving community. He was very well known in this area and I'm sure this news will hit close to home for many people.
God speed Geoff!

[flyingferret 0]

I did not actually know Geoff, but I had talked with him over the Texas A&M Skydiving listserv, and I had friends that jumped with him. My condolences and prayers to his friends and family.
Malachi