This happened back in the late 70's at a DZ in
Charlotte Michigan. A load of us went up in the
182 for a four way. Things may have changed
in the years since, but back then it was popular
for some jumpers who thought they knew better
to load the plane in various stages of dress.
Some would walk on with the jumpsuit and rig in their
arms. Others with a jumpsuit on and the rig riding
their shoulders, and others all geared up ready
to exit.
Our ride up was uneventful and the exit went
as planned. Our hero was wearing a Stewart
Sweethog container system with a square main and
round reserve. In freefall, we were so focused on
completing formations that not even the jumper
himself noticed that he had forgot to put the
leg straps on ... that is until it was time to open.
The jumper whipped out his pilot chute and as
opening occurred, slid down the harness until the
junction at the main harness caught in his armpits.
This was opening shock #1.
Due to uneven loading on the risers, the jumper had
a malfunction. From my perspective some 30 yards
behind and above, I could tell a cutaway was ahead
and thought something didn't look right, but things
happened so fast I didn't realize at the time how
wrong things were for the guy (in?) the harness.
Somehow he managed to cut away the main and
deploy his reserve without falling out. Opening shock
#2.
He rode the rest of the way down grabbing harness
with crossed arms, unable to control his direction. The
landing was brutal but he was so rattled he didn't even
care. He was incoherent most of the rest of the day
and almost gave up jumping. Even thinking back
on that day, as I write this, it makes my pulse race
and palms sweat. We crucified ourselves for not
doing gear checks, but it happened. and maybe others
can take home a lesson.
