Macaulay 0 #1 October 2, 2002 Two canopies out. I watched the whole thing. The main came out and almost simultaneously the reserve fired... launching the reserve PC and freebag into the main. About 1 - 1.5 seconds later, the jumper is under just his reserve. The main floats away and lands about 100 feet up in a tree, and he has a safe landing in an optionless area (about 1,000 sq ft) surrounded by forest, lake, chainlink fence (topped with barbed wire), and powerlines half a block over. My first assumption was that it was Cypres fire, but it looked high. Then I came to find out that the Cypres never fired. Only the main was pitched. The reserve ripcord was never pulled. The Cypres never fired. How did he get two canopies out? The kink the RSL leaves in the cable was there, but there was no RSL to be found, and the jumper swore repeatedtly that he had no RSL. Even then, the RSL is activated by a cutaway, which did not happen until two canopies were already out. How weird is that? My answer to the riddle would just be that he was jumping a Reflex. Actually, the last theory was that he did have an RSL, but it wasn't hooked up, or attached properly, but that it was just tucked away, still on the reserve cable, and the jumper (not certain about experience or how long he had the rig) just wasn't aware of it. The RSL may have floated out, snagged a riser on opening, and moved outwards the 2 - 3 inches necessary to pull the reserve pin out of place. Weird. Really damn weird. - Mac Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #2 October 2, 2002 If that is true, about the RSL, this would be a good example of why you should really know your gear and if you choose not to jump with an RSL to have a rigger remove it for you. This sport doesn't forgive the "let it be" attitude very well.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ramon 0 #3 October 2, 2002 I would really like to know what happened if someone else can figure it out. His reserve pin might have not been seated all the way and if loose could have been jostled (or the cable could have been josteled. Has anyone looked at the closing loop on the reserve PC for damage or looseness? (If it is undamaged or loose, then the pin was physically moved). When did he last check his reserve pin? Was his REserve ripcord hangin out the velcro? Please elaborate when you find out ramon"Revolution is an abrupt change in the form of misgovernment.", Ambrose Bierce. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
weid14 0 #4 October 2, 2002 tough to do on a reflex as the pin is protected against your back, but anything is possible, sounds like the more likely scenerio is a flapping RSL cable that snagged on a deploying riser, but the answer may never be found. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TALONSKY 0 #5 October 2, 2002 I am not sure of what happened to make his reserve activate. However, prior to that jump another jumper noticed that the top flap of the reserve portion of the container had not been included when the reserve was closed up. The jumper was geared up to jump when it was noticed. He took the rig off and took it back to the rigger that had repacked it to have it fixed. It was the next jump( after having it fixed) that the reserve got deployed. I am not an expert by any means but I would question if it was rigger induced. I find it totally unacceptable that this rigger left out one of the four flaps when closing that reserve, with that kind of error one would wonder what else he might have done wrong. All I know is from now on I am requesting my reserve to be packed by any of the riggers except that one. Kirk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ramon 0 #6 October 2, 2002 Quotetough to do on a reflex as the pin is protected against your back, I have a reflex water rig (removed RSL). I know. but, the reserve closing loop will always loosten up after a repack. The pin can be jostled if loose enough and or something snags the wire coming out of the reserve rip cord."Revolution is an abrupt change in the form of misgovernment.", Ambrose Bierce. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggermick 7 #7 October 2, 2002 Quote I am not sure of what happened to make his reserve activate. However, prior to that jump another jumper noticed that the top flap of the reserve portion of the container had not been included when the reserve was closed up. The jumper was geared up to jump when it was noticed. He took the rig off and took it back to the rigger that had repacked it to have it fixed. It was the next jump( after having it fixed) that the reserve got deployed. I am not an expert by any means but I would question if it was rigger induced. I find it totally unacceptable that this rigger left out one of the four flaps when closing that reserve, with that kind of error one would wonder what else he might have done wrong. All I know is from now on I am requesting my reserve to be packed by any of the riggers except that one. KirkQuote The fact that a closing flap was missed begs the question what else was missed? This is a serious issue, this rigger needs to have his ticket pulled until it can be determined if he/ she is competent enough to continue his/ her duties. As for the RSL issue, it had to be hooked up as the kinked cable evidence suggests. The Reflex RSL is a very low profile piece of equipment and can tucked away sufficiently to resist becoming a snag point thus making it difficult to see from the casual observers view point. Considering that this rigger incorrectly closed a rig did he/ she also assemble the main riser releases incorrectly causing one of them to release prematurely? It sounds like a very plausible scenario. Mick Cottle. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggermick 7 #8 October 2, 2002 How weird is that? My answer to the riddle would just be that he was jumping a Reflex. Don't blame a rig just because you have a bias against it, this type of malfunction has happened on many other rigs as well. I've seen many strange things in my twenty five years of skydiving and many scary things in my twenty four years of being a master rigger. From the description of the malfunction it sounds as though something was not assembled correctly or broke. A following post mentioned rigger incompetence and cited an example (to which I replied) and rigger incompetence can be applied to any piece of equipment. Mick Cottle. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 4 #9 October 2, 2002 For god's sake -- stop posting this in every forum! It makes it -so- damn hard to follow!quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Macaulay 0 #10 October 4, 2002 Sorry, just thought it'd be appropriate in the different areas. Just thought it was a weird happening that wouldn't warrant so much of a response. Running back to the wingsuit forum and staying there. - Mac Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Macaulay 0 #11 October 4, 2002 QuoteDon't blame a rig just because you have a bias against it, this type of malfunction has happened on many other rigs as well.It was a joke, Humortron 2000. - Mac Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #12 October 4, 2002 Psst... Micks the former maker of the Reflex Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Macaulay 0 #13 October 4, 2002 Oops! I should never be taken seriously when bagging on rig. Why? Because I jump a 1995 Racer Elite with 0 riser and bridle coverage. Had walrus teeth and extra velcro put on, but as those who gear check my put it, "the pin looks fine, but it's still a Racer". Though, Racers are THE comfiest harness out there. Three - four weeks until my Wings comes in... - Mac Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cacophony 0 #14 October 4, 2002 I jump a 1995 Racer Elite with 0 riser and bridle coverage. Had walrus teeth and extra velcro put on, but as those who gear check my put it, "the pin looks fine, but it's still a Racer". Though, Racers are THE comfiest harness out there. - I would rather be safe than comfortable. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Macaulay 0 #15 October 5, 2002 Hence the Wings... - Mac Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
