Aerodyne Research LLC has issued an updated manufacturer statement regarding the ongoing investigation into the fatal incident that took place on 6 April 2026 at the GoSkydive Headcorn drop zone in the United Kingdom. The investigation is being conducted by British Skydiving, with Aerodyne continuing to provide support as required.

The Florida-based manufacturer has confirmed that the investigation remains active and that no conclusions have yet been reached regarding the cause of the incident or the performance of the equipment involved.

"The investigation remains ongoing, and the information available does not allow for conclusions to be drawn regarding the cause of the incident or the performance of the equipment."
Aerodyne Team

British Skydiving has issued an interim report outlining the information currently available, and Aerodyne has directed the community to that report for details of the findings to date. Aerodyne has noted that it has not yet had direct access to the equipment involved, which remains under the control of the relevant authorities. The company has confirmed it will be present in the United Kingdom to support further stages of the investigation.

AAD Cutter Placement — Bulletin Update

In the statement, Aerodyne addressed the topic of AAD cutter placement, previously communicated in Technical Bulletin TB-250122 (2022). At that time, Aerodyne had identified cutter placement as a configuration consideration based on internal testing, and a recommendation was issued to position the cutter above the reserve pilot chute for certain configurations.
Aerodyne has confirmed that both cutter positions have been tested and approved, and that the system has been in successful operational service for many years. However, in line with ongoing product evaluation and to promote consistency in field configuration across different operating environments and jurisdictions, Aerodyne has decided to elevate the status of this bulletin from Recommended to Mandatory. A separate bulletin outlining this update will be issued.

A Note on Community Discussion

Aerodyne acknowledged the high level of engagement and discussion within the skydiving community, noting that while this reflects a shared commitment to safety, early-stage information is often incomplete and subject to change as investigations progress.
Aerodyne remains committed to supporting the investigation process and to maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality, and performance across all its systems. The company will continue to work closely with British Skydiving and relevant parties as the investigation progresses.

Download official statement (PDF)