Anyone experienced in static line jumps from a helicopter? What could have gone wrong?
The chute may have failed to fully open due to the slower speed of the helicopter (90 knots) versus the C-130 (120 knots). From the airplane, you are moving forward as you fall and the chute is designed to open in part using that air flow. Typically you fall 200 feet before the chute fully opens. since helicopters fly slower they have to fly higher and hope your terminal velocity is enough to wrest the chute open.
Cigarette rolls and streamers happen even from the faster planes.
