Cessna 172A, VH-UEV, Sanderston, SA, 14 July 1974

At approximately 1259 hours, central standard time, on 14 July, 1974 a parachutist was fatally injured by impact with the ground following a free fall descent near Sanderston, South Australia. Witnesses on the ground saw the three parachutes open but became aware that something was wrong with one which was spiralling to the left and descending much faster than the other two. Observers thought the rigging lines appeared to be twisted for at least three quarters of the way up to the canopy. Just before the parachutist disappeared behind low trees the main parachute was jettisoned and a flash of white was observed as the reserve parachute apparently started to deploy at a very low height.