Two skydivers injured in a landing crash in Queenstown were performing a low turn - a manoeuvre one parachuting expert say is frowned upon in the industry.
Two staff from Queenstown's NZONE Skydive are recovering in hospital after the crash during a tandem training jump. Photo: Facebook: NZOne Skydive Queenstown
The staff, from the skydiving operator NZONE Skydive, are recovering in Dunedin Hospital after they crashed while landing about 7.45am.
"The incident happened in the final stages of a staff tandem training jump as they came in to land, performing a low turn at slow speed," NZONE Skydive said in a statement.
Company manager Clark Scott said today the two men were doing well.
The Civil Aviation Authority is investigating. Police have the parachute the skydivers used.
Parachute Industry Association national safety director Mark Horning said it was difficult to say exactly what happened, but low turns were dangerous and not recommended.
"I wouldn't say it's normal. It's something that is generally frowned upon," he said.
"Why someone does a low turn I don't know. Why does someone cross the centre line of the road when they're driving their car? I don't know.
"It's the same kind of thing. It may just be someone's made a mistake."
Mr Horning is an experienced parachuter. He has made more than 15,000 jumps working in several countries.
He was adamant New Zealand had an excellent safety reputation compared to other countries.
"I was in the United States for a long time, I've owned and operated drop zones in South Africa and I was chairman of the association over there for a number of years.
"I've been here for the last nine years and all over the world New Zealand has got a very good reputation.
"We hardly see any problems. If we put our statistics against those of other countries we fare extremely well. I would say that we are up there as good as any other country in the world and better than a lot."
Mr Horning said he and the association were offering support to NZONE and its injured skydivers.
"It's very, very unfortunate that this happened and we've certainly got very experienced people involved here.
"It's a real pity.
"I think we're just going to have to see what happens and this could quite possibly be that one person has made an error and they've paid a big price for it."
Mr Horning said he would watch the investigation closely to see if there was anything parachuters could learn from the crash and improve future training.
