Before I moved to Saint George, Utah, three weeks ago, I made an almost daily run from Sacramento to Stockton and back commute on Highway 99. I can’t count the times I saw parachutists stooping in to their landing area crossing dangerously low over 99 and the rushing traffic which is just a few hundred feet to the east of the airport. . . and often you see light aircraft and ultralights doing the same thing as the runway points directly at 99. A few times the private pilots barely clear the tops of the big-rig exhausts. This is just poor piloting.
Some of the jumpers who came in over the freeway were tandem, a pro-jumper with a thrill passenger or trainee, strapped to their front.
This death is the first I’ve heard of which actually involved the freeway, though, but given what I’ve seen, I’ve expected one sooner rather than later. I think it’s likely an unnecessary approach chosen by skydivers looking for an additional rush of adrenaline. They don’t need to come in that direction. . . and in fact by doing so may compromise the airport plane takeoff and landing as it’s an uncontrolled air field as I understand.
Class G or “go for it” airfield!
I have a lot of senior softball friends heading out there in two weeks for the Huntsman senior games.....I know one guy who has gone out there for the softball tournaments for the past 20+ years.
At an uncontrolled airport all aircraft are expected to land and take off into the wind if possible. At any airport with a control tower they will typically be directed to take off and land into the wind. Don't take my word for it, go to any airport and observe for yourself! It's safer and more efficient.
Typical wind direction at that location is west. An approach from the east(over the hwy) heading into a west wind has nothing to do with skill or extra thrills. The altitude when crossing the highway depends on type of aircraft and local conditions. Poor pilots do exist it's just not the first conclusion I jump to when observing low flying aircraft over roadways.
Yesterday 10/26/19 at 14:00hrs Lodi time the winds were out of the west(according to a majority of the online weather instruments in the area upwind of the DZ in question). The safest direction for all aircraft(including parachutes) to land in those conditions puts them on final approach over the hwy. Wind speed prior to the fatality was ~10kts gusts to ~15kts. Right around the time of the fatality the winds picked up and gusts increased to ~25kts. An increase in wind speed is often the result of lower atmospheric pressure. Skydiving altimeters are just calibrated barometers that are set to zero at the intended landing location immediately prior to jump. If the conditions changed while the aircraft was climbing to altitude the deceased parachutists altimeter may have indicated they were higher than they were. Every training syllabus I have seen on the subject includes warnings about this and recommends never relying on just the instrument. It is not a mal-function of the instrument. Altitude awareness is mandatory in every form of aviation.
There are many farm fields around the airport to land at in case a parachutist is unable (for whatever reason) to make it to the intended landing area. The caveat that goes along with this is the fact that in an unpowered aircraft there comes a point in time where only one 'choice' remains.
I have never jumped in Lodi. I am not qualified to comment on their operation specifically.
THE FOLLOWING ARE expert OPINIONS NOT FACTS
The legal issues mentioned above(by others) are often the result of an injured or deceased jumpers family not accepting the fact that everyone reads and signs a waiver accepting responsibility for their own actions. The Modus Operandi(MO) parallels a dindu nuffins mama not accepting that decisions of others have consequences that may affect loved ones even if it was the loved ones decision.
Another legal possibility is local politics not accepting the fact that a federally funded airport must follow the rules that go along with the funding. Sometimes locals use LEO's to assist in forcing their intentions. This MO is typical of fifedoms.
The aircraft repo filmed there was scripted acting according to some of the local jumpers familiar with that aircraft. It may be 'based on fact' I don't know. My personal opinion is the producers just decided a jump plane is less expensive than a jet when renting tach time for that episode.
*** this just in ***
A very rare press conference by the owner of the DZ, Bill Dause.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGP6jhR8_Zw
The guy still has the spark and didn't take the bait. I give him props for being a rebel in the land of fruits and nuts. The media wants their pound of flesh and he is laughing because they showed up after the 3 letter acronyms. Someone(s) unleashed the kracken on this guy.
And he is STILL in business!!! LOL
I got me feathers numbered and me spestos jammies on.
My sister is already in the saddle on the moose.
The cheese is in hand so I can lead them into the shower to log on.
I can't find my beeber but I been stuuned before, no biggie.
All that remains is returning y'all to your regularly scheduled skydiver bashing thread.
;-)