20121215028379I

Four skydivers boarded the aircraft at 1335 hours for a routine sport parachute jump. All four skydivers, including the victim, exited the aircraft and performed a routine free-fall and all four parachutes opened normally and had good flying canopies. Three of the jumpers turned west into the wind to make an upwind landing and landed without incident. The fourth skydiver continued to fly to the east, downwind for approximately one quarter of a mile. The victim struck a tree and fell approximately 20 to 25 feet. It is believed that the victim landed on his back on the reserve parachute pack causing serious injuries to his spine. The victim had at the time approximately 30 to 35 jumps. With this low number of jumps, a skydiver could be considered an inexperienced jumper. It was determined that the victim, due to lack of experience or work overload, that he was too low to make the 180 degree turn into the wind to land as the other three skydivers had done. This decision caused him to float into the area with the trees, miss his intended landing zone, and strike the tree. The victim was transported by EMS helicopter to wesley medical center in wichita, KS in serious condition. His injuries included damaged vertebra and paralyzed from his mid back down through his legs. The victim is currently in a rehabilitation hospital for recovery.