lopullterri

My opinion, in this particular case, is that this is such an inexcusable error and it happened on student gear, that it absolutely horrified me. Students are the most likely to go unstable...lose altitude awareness, and pull too late (by all appearances this student probably finally opened his MAIN, about the time that he saw a flash of trees. No one can say he WAITED for the Cypres to fire...this is an assumption and the fact that his main was out but did not have time to inflate indicates that this was NOT the case). No one should DEPEND on a Cypres, however a student who pays to rent the gear and be instructed, placed a lot of trust in a DZO who is not only the owner, but the man who maintained the gear. Not threading the loop through the cutter rendered the life saving device useless. A molar strap left on a reserve would have rendered the reserve useless and is just as inexcusable. The difference between the two is that the student died...the error was not found during a repack cycle. If it had been found during a repack cycle we would have never heard about it because THIS gear was maintained exclusively by the owner of the DZ. Any rigging error that would cause a catastrophic failure of the reserve or any device that could be considered a persons last chance is inexcusable, actionable (or should be) and cannot be considered to be a 'mistake'...it is negligence. As far as the waiver goes...Most people who make a single skydive and most students do not realize that the Skydiving Industry is not regulated. They are told about the USPA and they may have a slight awareness of the FAA, but they do not realize that there are no inspections...no checks and balances and that basically NO ONE is looking out for the public's best interest. The FAA and the USPA have their hands tied and do not have the money or the authority to monitor Drop Zones and uphold any kind of standards. Not until a student becomes experienced, do they come to the understanding that they are on their own and had better get informed and not count on ANYONE to take care of them and to realize the difference between a well maintained airplane, a good pilot and a DZ that maintains their gear...and one who cuts corners. That is the difference. This was a student who did not even own the gear he was jumping, he was renting it. It is the responsibility of the owner to uphold his promise, and the implied promise at every DZ I have ever jumped at was that the student gear was properly maintained. Not only was a horrendous mistake made here...the DZO also had a history of KNOWINGLY skimping on the maintenance of his tandem gear. A pattern that proves that he needs his ticket pulled. ~"I am not afraid. I was born to do this"~

Again, you need the entire picture to make this statement. Vandalia is a small community and the Park District and municipal airport KNOW the owner. There is information that you may not have that would (possibly) point to the possibility that there have been complaints in the past or suggestions for a new leaseholder that they failed to move on. What was the benefit to them, you may ask? Well, ASC ran the airport, paid them a fuel flow fee for the fuel distributed there AND ASC paid them rent. MAYBE Vandalia let things stand as they were because they did not want to deal with finding someone or PAYING someone to run the airport. They had a sweet deal going on...until now. ~"I am not afraid. I was born to do this"~

Hi Jerry. Ted Mayfield was a speeding train who could not be stopped. Even after he was ordered to cease operations by (if I remember correctly) the States Attorney(?), he continued to operate with borrowed gear that was not technically student gear. Now that guy should have been tossed in jail. I knew and spoke with an ex staff member from there...years ago...Mayfield was a 'Trainwreck" and no one really had the authority to stop him. You see, my largest concern here is this... We are supposed to be self governing, and if we don't admit to flaws (this DZO being one of those flaws), address them and pull their ratings and licenses, then someday the FAA will be forced to step in and spend the money to govern Skydiving. This cost WILL be passed on to us...the Skydiver. Last year the same DZ was (I believe) reprimanded by Strong Enterprises for not maintaining his Tandem gear to their specifications. He also used a TI who did not have a current medical (nor had he had one for quite a while). Neither Strong, the FAA or USPA had the authority to DO anything. This DZO still has his Riggers Certificate, is a TI AND is an Examiner!! Where are our checks and balances here? Where is the 'Self Governing' part of the equation? It is frustrating and detrimental to the sport and makes us (and some of the opinions voiced, make us) appear to be a bunch of renegades and idiots. ~"I am not afraid. I was born to do this"~

The coroner's inquest and the FAA report are complete. Do some home work (Upon arrival, the DZO/Rigger walked up to the coroner and handed him the reserve packing data card from the rig that was on the deceased student and stated, "The AAD in the container is not the one listed on the card. I switched AAD's earlier this year." Hmmm...so he REMOVED evidence from the body?) Again, not the only thing to go on. Just what I chose to put out there, but now you are all making me weary. (Possibility of insults, threats and guns being pulled...be damned. There is more where this came from). Examined by (I believe) the Coroner and the FAA (including a certificated rigger). Examined at the scene AFTER the DZO tampered with it...not the cops. Then taken into custody by (I believe) the coroner. The cutter had fired. The container did not open. The loop was intact and NOT routed through the cutter. There was no obstruction...the loop was intact and undamaged. The computer confirmed that the device activated at the appropriate altitude. No video that was RELEASED. Again, remember...the DZ had the ability of manipulating this if it existed...though since this was not a first jump, I doubt that there WAS video. There were witnesses. I saw that report also..it verifies that when packing a reserve one must prevent contamination of the packing area as much as is feasible. I see reserves packed in the middle of busy hangers...something that makes me cringe. Jet fuel and other contaminants can be tracked in, along with gravel and sand. Unless specifically requested and it is a rush, our process is to pack in a clean and freshly vacuumed area. Now...do not ask me to verify the info because it is all available to anyone who cares to look and request...I am not your secretary...and I do NOT give up private sources... ~"I am not afraid. I was born to do this"~

WOW!! Way to make skydivers look ignorant. Seriously...that was completely out of line... ~"I am not afraid. I was born to do this"~

Not the same thing at all. The AAD is "required" on student gear. And a novice 'cycler' isn't as likely to make a catastrophic screw up as a 'student' skydiver. And the 'radar brakes' are not a requirement like say a 'helmet' in some states. So if I rented the bike to this person w/o a helmet, then yes...I am negligent, and would most likely be charged as such. As a matter of fact, unless the 'radar brakes' were required by law, I wouldn't even have them as an option on my rentals. ~"I am not afraid. I was born to do this"~

I've been watching this and here is a new line of thinking for you to go off on...This DZO doesn't just need to be sued...he needs to be charged with negligent homicide. I am also against Airtec and SSK being sued. Just how much to we have to dumb things down? How expensive does a Cypres have to become, in adding more 'sensors' to it and possibly making it too expensive for some people to justify the purchase? Instead of 'updating' the Cypres, maybe we need to make it harder to get a riggers ticket...and easier to lose it? As far as I have been able to find, the FAA still has not pulled this guys ticket!! Just what does it take or how high does the body count need to be to lose a riggers ticket? ~"I am not afraid. I was born to do this"~

June 2 suit was filed by the family of the student skydiver killed in October. Following are the names being sued. Archway Skydiving Centre, Inc., Jason Mark, Anita Wuertz, SSK Industries, Inc., Airtec GmbH Safety Systems, Vandalia Park District and Vandalia Municipal Airport. http://dockets.justia.com/docket/illinois/ilsdce/3:2011cv00468/52524/ I am a little disappointed that Airtec and SSK are being named as the rigging error was not an issue with the Cypres. Following news story explains the reasoning, however it is a lame reason to sue those two companies. http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/article_ec0082b3-0c35-58f1-9627-3691ffdba773.html In addition I have found reference to Archway Skydiving in Ohio. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Archway-Skydiving-Center/158326950856979 Does anyone know what the relationship is? I have my theories but no proof. ~"I am not afraid. I was born to do this"~

Well...most S&TA's are chosen by the DZO and in many cases ARE the DZO, so for that reason (the resistance of the DZO's), this is not going to happen. Possible scenario? Not only would the S&TA be responsible for addressing "stupid shit" that people do...but they would be responsible for addressing other unsafe practices...and if this cuts into what the DZO wants to happen, the DZO can kick the S&TA off his drop zone. Heck...the DZO can kick a USPA Regional Director off his dropzone if he wants...and there is nothing that the USPA can do about it. I agree...the S&TA and the USPA as a whole should have more ability to address unsafe practices on DZ's and by skydivers, but lets face it...they don't. ~"I am not afraid. I was born to do this"~

So...I have received a copy of the FOIA request from the FAA...the investigators basically stated the same information that the coroner stated. That the "Reserve parachute loop was incorrectly routed around Cypres cutter rendering the Cypres device ineffective." The report was redacted (basically a form of editing) and portions were blacked out. However, I have information that some of this may be due to the fact that a few pilots who flew the airplane at Archway were 'wrist slapped' for flying the plane outside of its hundred hour. The report also does not mention if any action will betaken against the rigger. ~"I am not afraid. I was born to do this"~

So...place all cutters in the bottom of the pack tray (besides the obvious, which is to correct the fact that they are NOT cutting through the loop on the Argus). Never liked a cutter on top in the first place...for esthetic reasons, if for no other. ~"I am not afraid. I was born to do this"~

I agree with Riggerob (This was not good method and they basically need a refresher at that DZ)...and Ridestrong (To deal with the harda$$es, my words, create a new profile for any further posts.) Leave this thread to die out. ~"I am not afraid. I was born to do this"~

I did leave and will never go back...years ago. My husband just wanted to say hi and maybe goodbye to a few people, since it sounds like the DZ will be sold or closed. We knew from past experience that the DZO had what we always called "A Napoleon complex", but did not expect what happened. We have been told, since the Chili party incident, that he frequently takes his gun out in his office and plays with it while sitting at his desk and talking to people. Too bad we never heard about that BEFORE the Chili party! Definately not a guy who should own a gun... ~"I am not afraid. I was born to do this"~

A partial truth if ever I heard one. The issue of threats being made was a lie and that was proven years ago. A friend of ours stated that "with the loss of all of all the rigging and jump experience of those two leaving, I wouldn't be surprised if someone gets hurt"... at a bar... to the wrong person. She took it back to the DZ and it was twisted to what you stated. And a libelous statement, too. The really whacky thing was...that they sent letters to others who left with us, but no letter was sent to the guy who made the statement. Maybe because he had REALLY deep pockets and used to spend a TON of money there? Hoping he would return? Go figure! ~"I am not afraid. I was born to do this"~

It is not where I live. And the Sheriff's dept. is very small. I believe that he was trying to save my husband from a trespassing arrest, though a misdemeanor and a $100 fine would have been worth it in my opinion. If the sheriff went there and saw no gun in sight and no witness...there would be nothing for him to do. Plain and simple and the way the things are dealt with in a small rural area. I live in Metro St Louis, and you are correct. HERE, there would have been plenty of flashing lights and they would have BOTH been arrested. ~"I am not afraid. I was born to do this"~

You read it here and you believed, it? All of it? Yes it is true. I may be known for not knowing how to keep my F#*!ing mouth shut, but I am NOT known for lying. The sheriff was notified by my husband about the event, but since the only witnesses were the DZO and two of his 'followers'...no complaint was signed. ~"I am not afraid. I was born to do this"~

To assist in removing the rig of a fatally injured skydiver. ~"I am not afraid. I was born to do this"~

"but my students have 2 tandem jumps already" I wish everyone could start this way. I believe that having two tandem skydives under your belt before a class and any other student jump is extremely valuable, whether you continue on to a 4 hour course or a 6 hour course. ~"I am not afraid. I was born to do this"~

Just curious as to how long the average first jump course is. My FJC was at a DZ that taught AFF and Static line, and was approximately 6 hours for all of us in a combined class, and then we split up for exit training. The AFF student (me) received at least an additional hour of ground prep. Class size was small (3 static line, one AFF) and even years later with plenty of jumps under my belt and having participated in many FJC's, I believe that I received excellent training. How about you? After much experience and seeing other FJC's...do you look back and believe that your training was sufficient? ~"I am not afraid. I was born to do this"~

Bought a new cypres from him. When I received it , I realized that it was 2 years old. Made several phone calls and left messages. He was never available and never called back. Finally gave up. Have passed that info on to anyone that mentions his name. ~"I am not afraid. I was born to do this"~

Just my opinion, but anyone who comes back for a second tandem is expressing a definate interest in continuing the sport and should have been instructed and allowed to do more than char1775 says they were allowed to do. They were certainly there long enough for the extra instruction. Retaining the interest of the student/customer is the way to build the sport AND make money. I also think that the request for the same TI should have been granted. He was on the load and even if it wasn't his turn in the rotation, he made an impression, for whatever reason, and would have deserved the tandem anyway. As far as everything else...no a refund isn't in order. If the day is a bust, rainchecks are the only way to insure that you come back. They have still spent time and money training you. Welcome to the world of skydiving. Sometimes the weather stinks. I hope you find a student DZ that wishes to keep you in the sport. For the record, 2 hours away isn't so bad, at times I drive over 4 hours to jump. ~"I am not afraid. I was born to do this"~

I have packed an "intentional line over"...on a main for an intentional cut-away, and watched it clear itself on deployment. The only mal I personally have seen that was "definately" packer error, was, no breakes stowed, which resulted in broken lines. The only other I can think of would be a total, caused by improper closing of the container. ~"I am not afraid. I was born to do this"~

What happened? ~"I am not afraid. I was born to do this"~

Someone packed for me and decided that my loop needed to be shortened. After towing it and checking over my shoulder, I reached back, grabbed the bridle and pulled the pin. Lesson learned...there is such a thing as too short of a loop. ~"I am not afraid. I was born to do this"~

I always got the same crap at my X- home DZ. I say it's nobody's business what kind of jump I chose to make. I love doing Tandem video. Sharing someone elses first jump is a rush (and sometimes very entertaining). I also love getting that occasional kick-ass photo. THAT is what is fun to me. Just like years ago I thought bigways were fun...then I thought 4-way was fun. I also believe that if I am working for a business not a club, it is not my job to fill your plane even though I am tired from doing video in 90 degree weather and I don't want to pack ONE MORE TIME. For a DZ to expect you to "fun" jump would be like any other business telling you that you have to go bowling with your co-workers after work every day. ~"I am not afraid. I was born to do this"~