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Skydiving Fatalities: 2005: North America: Broken lines on opening that spiraled to the ground

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Broken lines on opening that spiraled to the ground

	Location		Jump Information
Date:	2005-07-04	Category:	Malfunction
Country:	United States	Factors:	Gear Issues
State:	California	Jump Type:	Relative Work
Drop Zone:	Skydive California City
	Gear		Personal Information
Container:		Sex:	Male
Main:	Spectre 190	Age:	59
Reserve:		Jumps:	400+
AAD:	Cypres	Years in Sport:
RSL:		Name:	Stephen Nelson Rathbun
Description
After a "normal" skydive, the group broke off at 4500', everyone tracked off and pulled. After getting under his main a jumper noticed Doc under a violently spinning malfunctioning main canopy, one half of the canopy was collapsed. At first it appeared that Doc was attempting his emergency procedures, but after several more revolutions it then appeared that he was not taking any actions. Doc’s canopy continued to spin out of control until impact with the ground. Gear examination at the scene showed at least 2 broken lines and tension knots. Later examination showed an entire line group broke on opening.
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