Mario Massato

Before his own jump Mario had assisted two other jumpers using the pilot chute assist (PCA) method from this 225-foot cellular phone tower. Alone on the tower now Mario climbed outside into a launch position. He then pivoted 180-degrees in order to face the tower and hook up his pilot chute. Then he turned again to face away. However, he turned the wrong way and effectively wrapped the bridle around his lower body and he didn't notice the problem prior to launching. The dynamic shock load of his full body weight hitting the bridle as he fell caused the cordage holding the bridle and pilot chute to the tower to separate prior to opening the container or giving him line stretch. He reacted quickly and fought to clear the bridle, but while the pilot chute did inflate, and did open the container, the parachute itself is fouled around his body and he died immediately on impact.