THE CONTRIBUTION AND LIMITS OF THE MEDICO-LEGAL AUTOPSY IN ESTABLISHING THE CAUSES OF FATAL EVENTS IN PARACHUTING
B. Mălinescu, A. Salem, M. Dragu
Abstract: Introduction. Skydiving is a relatively safe sport, with fatalities occurring in approximately one per 100,000 jumps. Investigating parachuting-related deaths involves assessing human factors, equipment failure, and environmental conditions. Forensic doctors play a key role in determining the contribution of human error to fatal events.
Material and method. This study examines six parachuting fatalities from Ilfov and Buzău counties, analyzing historical data, autopsy findings, and laboratory results. The forensic results are correlated with investigations conducted by the Romanian Aviation Safety Authority (AIAS) and judicial authorities.
Results. A 29-year-old man died during a military parachute exercise from a helicopter at 1200 m;
- Three skydivers were involved in an accident at Clinceni Aerodrome: a 49-year-old man died instantly, a 27-year-old woman died during surgery, and the instructor survived;
- A 34-year-old student parachutist died after an uncontrolled spiral descent from 4000 m;
- A 40-year-old military man died after a parachuting training jump from 2000 m due to equipment failure;
- A 37-year-old captain died at Boboc Aerodrome when both main and reserve parachutes failed to function properly.
Human error was responsible in four cases, while equipment failure was the cause in two. No physiological or pathological conditions contributed to the deaths.
Conclusions. The primary challenge in forensic investigations of parachuting fatalities is not determining the cause of death but objectively analyzing the human factor. Medico-legal autopsies, in conjunction with aviation safety investigations, are crucial for establishing responsibility and preventing future incidents. While autopsy cannot detect “human error,” it helps exclude or confirm organic factors. The findings aid judicial decisions and support preventive measures to enhance skydiving safety. Keywords: parachuting, death, causes of the event, forensic autopsy.
 and judicial authorities.
Results. A 29-year-old man died during a military parachute exercise from a helicopter at 1200 m;
- Three skydivers were involved in an accident at Clinceni Aerodrome: a 49-year-old man died instantly, a 27-year-old woman died during surgery, and the instructor survived;
- A 34-year-old student parachutist died after an uncontrolled spiral descent from 4000 m;
- A 40-year-old military man died after a parachuting training jump from 2000 m due to equipment failure;
- A 37-year-old captain died at Boboc Aerodrome when both main and reserve parachutes failed to function properly.
Human error was responsible in four cases, while equipment failure was the cause in two. No physiological or pathological conditions contributed to the deaths.
Conclusions. The primary challenge in forensic investigations of parachuting fatalities is not determining the cause of death but objectively analyzing the human factor. Medico-legal autopsies, in conjunction with aviation safety investigations, are crucial for establishing responsibility and preventing future incidents. While autopsy cannot detect “human error,” it helps exclude or confirm organic factors. The findings aid judicial decisions and support preventive measures to enhance skydiving safety.&redirect_uri=http://rjlm.ro/index.php/arhiv/1015)