The Mysterious Case of a Fatal Accident During Skydiving: A Fracture of the Pelvis From Parachute Opening Shock (POS)?

Skydiving, encompassing competitive, recreational, and military activities, is a high-risk endeavor where accidents can lead to severe injuries or death, despite technological advancements. In this case, a 49-year-old military skydiver was found lifeless in a private garden, with significant blood loss evident beneath his body that had soaked into the soil. Prior to the autopsy, an X-ray revealed a fracture of the pelvis with diastasis of the pubic symphysis, a dislocated appearance and diastasis of the right sacroiliac joint, and a suspected fracture of the right iliac wing and the left sacroiliac branch. The autopsy confirmed these fractures and also revealed a laceration of the right internal iliac artery. The cause of death was determined to be acute hemorrhagic shock. A review revealed that this case is unique in the relevant literature. The case was investigated by a multidisciplinary team comprising a forensic pathologist, a radiologist, and engineers. The team determined that the event was accidental, and that the parachutist’s death resulted from hemorrhage caused by the laceration of the internal iliac artery due to the open-book fracture of the pelvis. This fracture likely occurred during the parachute’s opening phase, known as opening shock. Supporting this hypothesis, video footage showed the parachutist was alert until the parachute deployed, with a subsequent soft landing. The high-velocity blood spatter pattern on the parachute bag indicated blood leakage during free fall, confirming the pelvic injury occurred during the opening phase. By corroborating the forensic data with the engineering report on the parachute and the flight, the dynamics of the accident were clarified, identifying the parachute opening as the critical moment for the fatal injury. Thus, this work underscores the importance of a thorough analysis, combining precise interpretation of circumstantial and autopsy data with meticulous forensic investigation to determine the manner of death. Continued research and improvements in parachute design and skydiving safety protocols are recommended to prevent similar incidents in the future. This case highlights the need for proper training and positioning during parachute deployment. Skydivers should be educated about the risks associated with improper body positioning during the opening phase. Additionally, manufacturers might consider enhancing harness designs to better distribute forces during high-G events, potentially mitigating such injuries.