Twisted parachute led to fatal 2017 RCAF training accident near Yorkton

A military investigation report says an accident that killed a search and rescue technician near Yorkton, Sask., in March 2017 came after the man’s chute became twisted as he jumped in a low-level exercise.

It says Master Cpl. Alfred Barr waited too long to cut away his tangled main chute and deploy his reserve.

READ MORE: RCAF search and rescue technician dead in training accident

Barr, who was qualified as a jumper but relatively inexperienced, was taking part in an exercise involving a jump from a C-130 Hercules aircraft.

He had completed his semi-annual parachute emergency training two days before the accident.

The report says Barr followed his team leader out the aircraft door during the jump from just over 600 metres, but rolled slightly in the slipstream after he exited and when the static line pulled his parachute open, the suspension lines became twisted.

READ MORE: Winnipeg-based soldier died from possible parachute malfunction, says 17 Wing commander

Barr made repeated efforts to clear the lines as he fell, but apparently lost track of his height.

READ MORE: Report into military training death near Yorkton Sask. released