Investigation into skydive accident won’t reopen
The investigation into the death of an experienced skydiver after a solo landing in Auckland will not be reopened, the Civil Aviation Authority says.
John Creane, 27, died on March 16, 2019, after skydiving at Parakai in north Auckland.
At the time of his death, Creane, who was also known as Jack, had completed more than 260 jumps.
Creane, who was from Ireland but was in New Zealand on a student visa, had been on a 13,000ft Skydive Auckland jump when the incident occurred.
In the aftermath of the incident, Skydive Auckland investigated and found the accident may have occurred due to ‘‘poor flight planning and poor decision-making’’ on Creane’s part.
The Civil Aviation Authority noted Creane didn’t flare his parachute to help slow down for landing before he hit the ground, and he didn’t go into the emergency landing position.
Creane was qualified for the jump and the authority could not figure out why Creane decided to carry out high-energy manoeuvres late in his jump, or why he didn’t flare his parachute before hitting the ground.
Creane had been airlifted to
Auckland City Hospital following the incident but died the following day.
Earlier, Coroner Debra Bell said Creane had been considered a knowledgeable and competent skydiver.
Additional material relating to Creane’s death was recently sent to the Civil Aviation Authority but a review found there was no additional information to justify reopening the investigation, the authority said on
Tuesday.
During the review, the authority said interviews were conducted where necessary and video that was provided was reviewed by an independent expert.
‘‘The assessment of the additional material has not found anything new that requires us to reopen the investigation or to change the conclusion of the investigation,’’ a spokesperson said.
Creane’s family had been notified of the decision, the spokesperson added.
Earlier this year, a British skydiver, Sarah-jane Bayram, died during a skydive with the same company over Muriwai beach.
Bayram and another skydiver collided in midair before she was blown more than 1km out to sea.