This was pilot error on the part of the pilot flying the top aircraft, and the jumper that was designated as spotter for that load’s exit. There was no need for the two aircraft to be flying so closely for this formation load. And certainly not with one aircraft in the turbulent air above and rearward of the bottom aircraft. Once the upper aircraft entered the turbulent air in that position and at that proximity, you can see he totally lost lift.

Even during a relative work skydive, you have to make sure you never fly into the “vacuum” above another jumper or a formation of others that you are coasting in to join. The result is called a “funnel”. Your descent rate suddenly increases and you will slam into whoever is beneath you.

We had this happen on an 8-way formation I was on, when the last diver to join (our buddy Seiji) accidentally got over top of the seven of us that were already linked up. He bombed right through the formation and blew it apart.

In addition to being dangerous, you’re never very popular back on the ground, when you’re responsible for blowing apart a formation and risking injuring everybody, when everyone has paid $25-30 for their slot on the aircraft. You usually end up buying a bunch of beer lol.

I’m so glad everyone including the two pilots survived this incident. I hope the drop zone’s business can remain open, having lost 2 aircraft. But someone is going to get their ass chewed.