Ft. Lee Rigger dies on jump

[P-Chop]

This has been all over the news today in my AO and I am unable to post the proper linkage due to my dial up being ate up.

A yet to be identified soldier from Ft. Lee was killed today during a training jump. A Ft. Lee spokesman stated that the soldier was part of the Rigger School and they were jumping BlackHawks from 1500ft. Winds were over 15mph sustained with higher gusts. Five soldiers dropped on the pass and it doesn't look like any made the DZ. The soldier who was killed got tangled in power lines and dangled there for at least 10 minutes until the power was turned off and he could be cut down. Sad news. There will be some definite fallout from this investigation.

If someone with better hardware can find and post the linkage, it would be appreciated.

[AirborneCA]

Thats gonna fall on the JM Team along with the Airborne Commander. RIP Brother.

[RockOut]

Terrible news indeed. RIP.

http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/ne...222007/328483/

Fort Lee soldier fatally injured in parachute training jump

A soldier from the 23rd Quartermaster Brigade at Fort Lee died yesterday from injuries he suffered when he became entangled in power lines during a routine parachute training jump.

The soldier's name was being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

The training accident occurred about 10:25 a.m. in the River Road landing zone on the north end of the base after the soldier jumped out of a Black Hawk helicopter. Dominion Virginia Power cut service to the lines by 10:35 a.m.. and the soldier was retrieved.

The landing zone is designated for parachute jumps, and soldiers usually conduct such training every couple of weeks, said Keith Desbois, media relations officer at Fort Lee.

"They're practicing to be proficient, get certified with parajumping," Desbois said.

Fort Lee personnel administered CPR until emergency services arrived. The soldier was removed from the scene at 10:57 a.m. and transported to Southside Regional Hospital for treatment. He was pronounced dead at 11:12 a.m.

The death is under investigation.

[cmbt_vet]

RIP

[Zimmy]

RIP

[blackflagg509]

RIP

[ABNCLAWED76]

Vaya con dios Brother..

[Eric]

RIP

[VoTrooper99]

So what was the cause of death? Electrocution? If they had to cut him down I'm guessing he didn't touch the ground...unless his canopy did.

I thought you wouldn't get juiced if you weren't touching the ground? Unless that all goes out the window if you are touching multiple lines.

RIP Trooper.

[VB]

RIP

[Guymullins]

RIP

Sounds like another bad spot.A pilot spotting from a chopper is easier than from a fixed wing because downward visibility is usually better. I dont know the Black Hawk personally though.
Power lines are not easy to see from overhead, but one would think that they would be well marked with orange balls if they were so close to a DZ.

[AirborneCA]

RIP

Sounds like another bad spot.A pilot spotting from a chopper is easier than from a fixed wing because downward visibility is usually better. I dont know the Black Hawk personally though.
Power lines are not easy to see from overhead, but one would think that they would be well marked with orange balls if they were so close to a DZ.

Well not necessarily. UH-60 drops are VIRS drops with the "Execute, Execute, Execute" command coming from the DZSO. AND HE HAS A ANEMOMETER ! ! !

[Guymullins]

Well not necessarily. UH-60 drops are VIRS drops with the "Execute, Execute, Execute" command coming from the DZSO. AND HE HAS A ANEMOMETER ! ! !

In a VIRS drop, is it the pilots responsibility to line up with the signal panels or does the DZSO talk the aircraft in on to the correct heading? What I am asking is: Does the DZSO just OK release at the release point ( at less than 13knts ground windspeed) or is he responsible for heading as well?

[kimii_kay]

I have known this soldier for many many years. Him and his family are like my own. I am still in shock that it's happened to someone this close to me, and to such a wonderful person.

He loved what he was doing, in his army career. If anyone could have seen how his face lit up, while talking about jumping out of planes, being airborne, and serving his country. He was a wonderful, kind hearted, person. I will think of him each and everyday that passes.

Please keep praying for this family during this time of a tragic loss.

[MAC11B3V]

In a VIRS drop, is it the pilots responsibility to line up with the signal panels or does the DZSO talk the aircraft in on to the correct heading? What I am asking is: Does the DZSO just OK release at the release point ( at less than 13knts ground windspeed) or is he responsible for heading as well?

On a VIRS DZ, the DZSO does control the pilots traffic pattern somewhat, but they do not control the heading per se. He can also help adjust and give directions after the first pass. However the specifics SHOULD have been discussed prior to the op at the pilot/crew brief, along with no-drop conditions. BUT, the DZSO does take the wind readings and gives the all okay from the ground. It is interesting that 15mph=13.03kts. If the winds had been gusting higher, they should've scratched on such a tight DZ. That would not have been a hard call to make. I'm wondering how they got 15mph(?). Who was out there on the DZ taking wind readings in MPH and not Kts anyway? (Maybe it was estimated) I know that sometimes the commander wants a green light no matter what, but you can't be too 'hooah' with other people's lives. It could have also been a pi-ball miscalculation. Just my $.03

If my procedures are a bit off, someone square me away. I haven't done a VIRS since Pathfinder.