Mikhail Panchenko

Reports indicate Mikhail, who began skydiving at age 14, was also a paraglider pilot and had about 20 prior BASE jumps. He'd contacted another jumper before this jump and they discussed various issues including any possible static electricity problems. He'd just taken delivery of a brand new BASE container that had separate cutaway handles for each riser although the reporting jumper says it's not known if this had any bearing on the fatality. The jump was planned for a dry landing but once open Mikhail apparently realized he couldn't make the LZ and he went into the water about a 100-feet (30 meters) from shore. He was then seen struggling for about twenty minutes before being overcome by hypothermia. The water temperature was reported to be 39.2 F (+4 C). Ground crew tried to get to him but could not do so in time. His body was recovered and taken to the hospital where emergency care was provided. Mikhail had a website and it is here: http://www.windsport.ru/events/2007_03_22.html