Posted on Jul 21, 2015
Is The Jump Master Responsible In The Training Death Of A Paratrooper ?
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A jumpmaster’s failure to properly inspect a paratrooper’s static lines was determined the “single most definitive failure” that led to the parachuting death of a young female soldier, an Army investigation has found.
According to the informal AR 15-6 investigation, Schmigel’s equipment was misrouted so that, when exiting the plane, she became a “towed jumper.” While be being towed, the subsequent jumper exited the plane and Schmigel became entangled in his T-11 parachute. Schmigel reportedly died from fatal lacerations to the throat and a broken neck. The entire incident lasted three to four seconds, according to the report.
The findings, obtained by Army Times through a Freedom of Information Act request, are from the investigation conducted within the 82nd Airborne Division; another investigation represents the Army's formal query into the incident. That safety accident report by the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center has been completed and sent to command for review, and will be released in November or December, according to USACRC FOIA officer Vickie Hendrix.
http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/careers/army/enlisted/2015/07/20/report-jumpmaster-cited-training-death-paratrooper/30374491/
According to the informal AR 15-6 investigation, Schmigel’s equipment was misrouted so that, when exiting the plane, she became a “towed jumper.” While be being towed, the subsequent jumper exited the plane and Schmigel became entangled in his T-11 parachute. Schmigel reportedly died from fatal lacerations to the throat and a broken neck. The entire incident lasted three to four seconds, according to the report.
The findings, obtained by Army Times through a Freedom of Information Act request, are from the investigation conducted within the 82nd Airborne Division; another investigation represents the Army's formal query into the incident. That safety accident report by the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center has been completed and sent to command for review, and will be released in November or December, according to USACRC FOIA officer Vickie Hendrix.
http://www.armytimes.com/story/military/careers/army/enlisted/2015/07/20/report-jumpmaster-cited-training-death-paratrooper/30374491/
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 25
There's actually nothing in the regs about the Bn CDR being at the JMB. He was out of currency by 5 days, we all know of something done by someone that was out of currency, but since something happened he's the biggest piece of shit around. Before the incident the safety was only responsible for tracing the static line from point of attachment to the first stow. The jumper behind is responsible for first appearance at the shoulder to the main curved pin protective flap. This was a freak accident, if she weighted another 50 lbs it would have been a rough exit but she never would have been towed. There are several people at fault, it's messed up to nuke the cherriest guy out there.
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They should relieve that whole damn command. They treated this like they didn't care. Then someone pays for their leaderships failure. I hope they can't sleep at night.
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As a friend of the soldiers I would say of course based on emotions. Now as a paratrooper, the jump master/safety is there to check and make sure all is fine at the last minute. He should have checked it as he checked static lines. It does not stop with just him though. There were way too many mishaps that were left unchecked and someone ended up dead as a result.
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