helldog 0 #1 October 1, 2003 Had all my new gear put together at the dropzone where i jump. Dolphin 2000 Sharpchuter 245main, and Smart reserve. On my first jump (oops case of beer) I opened high (5000ft) to get some extra time to play with the new canopy. Much to my shagrin after opening I looked up to admire my new canopy only to see what looked like two lines snapped in half. I immediately did a touch on my cutaway handle to make sure I remembered where it was. The canopy flew for a few seconds then as I lifted my arms to my shoulders to check the toggles a third line came off at the attachment point. The canopy immedialy collasped and began spinning me. I immediately cutaway and the RSL did the rest. The smart reserve (and my rigger) saved me. As it was my 31 jump I had my jumpmaster (over 2000 jumps) pack my main as he explained the procedure to me. Has this happend to anyone before?? Can anyone tell me how to prevent this?? Thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,118 #2 October 1, 2003 The Sharpchuter is an older main; it may well have been 10 years old. Lines just "falling off" the canopy generally doesn't happen unless you have a very hard opening or the canopy was damaged in some way (i.e. battery acid, mildew, long sun exposure.) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ypelchat 0 #3 October 1, 2003 QuoteHad all my new gear put together at the dropzone where i jump. Dolphin 2000 Sharpchuter 245main, and Smart reserve. On my first jump (oops case of beer) I opened high (5000ft) to get some extra time to play with the new canopy. Much to my shagrin after opening I looked up to admire my new canopy only to see what looked like two lines snapped in half. I immediately did a touch on my cutaway handle to make sure I remembered where it was. The canopy flew for a few seconds then as I lifted my arms to my shoulders to check the toggles a third line came off at the attachment point. The canopy immedialy collasped and began spinning me. I immediately cutaway and the RSL did the rest. The smart reserve (and my rigger) saved me. As it was my 31 jump I had my jumpmaster (over 2000 jumps) pack my main as he explained the procedure to me. Has this happend to anyone before?? Can anyone tell me how to prevent this?? Thanks Congrats on the successful reserve ride. As for your canopy, only a through inspection by your rigger will determine the cause of the malfunction. Yves. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #4 October 1, 2003 When you get a new canopy, you should always hang it and inspect it. It could have been a couple missed stitches on the line cascades or attatchments. I'm glad you came out of it ok, even though you had a reserve ride.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kitof1976 0 #5 October 1, 2003 Sorry to hear about your main... I am glad you made it through and that your reserve saved your butt. I actually have a smart reserve also and I never had to use it yet... I would love to hear your comments on the reserve ride as there are not many people who have gotten their butt save by a smart yet. "We see the world just the way we are... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aviatrr 0 #6 October 1, 2003 Was the main inspected by a rigger before you jumped it? When you say that the third line "came off at the attachment point", do you mean the line broke right at that point(if so, did the loop that goes around the links give, or did the line break above that?) or did the line come off an open link? What about the other two lines....were they broken in the middle? Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hooknswoop 19 #7 October 1, 2003 How many jumps were on the main's line set? Derek Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
helldog 0 #8 October 1, 2003 brand new first jump on the lines Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
helldog 0 #9 October 1, 2003 two lines broke in the middle and the other line seems to have come off where is was sewn to the canopy Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hooknswoop 19 #10 October 1, 2003 They may not have actually broken. If they weren't tacked, then they could have simply slipped out of the finger-trap. Check to see if the line actually broke or wasn't sewn. Derek Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chrisky 2 #11 October 1, 2003 Did you inspect the canopy and lineset along with the rigger? Shouldn't there be some visible cause for this? Do you know _why_ the line that didn't brake came lose?The mind is like a parachute - it only works once it's open. From the edge you just see more. ... Not every Swooper hooks & not every Hooker swoops ... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aviatrr 0 #12 October 1, 2003 Quotebrand new first jump on the lines If this happened on a brand new line set, take the canopy back to whoever relined it. If they neglected to bar tack some of the lines, they owe you a reserve repack as well(though I wouldn't let THAT person repack it, just pay for it). Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tonto 1 #13 October 2, 2003 Congratulations! I would urge you to pull your reserve handle regardless of whether the RSL had already deployed your reserve or if you have an AAD. Just make it a habit. tIt's the year of the Pig. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
