Are Hook Turns a Major Obstacle to Safe Skydiving? A Study of Skydiving Fatalities in the United States from 1992 to 2005

Abstract

Landing errors account for most of the skydiving fatalities today in more experienced skydivers. The United States Parachute Association (USPA) states that this is due to a new generation of parachutes with higher wing loading. Using data on fatalities from 1992 to 2005 as reported by the USPA, hook turns were found to be a major cause of death but not significantly associated with higher wing loading. Fatalities caused by not having a functional parachute have decreased over the years, possibly due to introduction and widespread use of safety devices.