Parachute Malfunctions: What Actually Happens & How Rare Are They?

Key Takeaways
Parachute malfunctions do happen, and most experienced skydivers expect to encounter one at some point in their career. Skydivers spend significant time training for these situations and modern skydiving systems are designed with backup equipment. When a problem occurs, skydivers are trained to identify it, make timely decisions, and transition to a reserve parachute when necessary.

“What if the parachute doesn’t open?”

“What are the chances of a parachute failing?”

“How often do parachutes fail?”

These are some of the most common questions first-time skydivers ask, and they’re also some of the most misunderstood.

When people think about parachute malfunctions, they often picture a parachute that simply doesn’t come out. More often, a malfunction is a matter of how the parachute opens and whether or not it is a parachute we are willing to land.

Modern skydiving equipment is built with multiple layers of redundancy, and every skydiver is trained to recognize and respond to emergencies. Proper equipment maintenance, packing procedures, and emergency training all work together to help prevent problems and prepare us to handle them if they occur.

Let’s take a closer look at the chances of a parachute failing, what parachute malfunctions actually are, and what skydivers do when they encounter one.

Every Skydiver Has Two Parachutes

Every modern skydiving system contains both a main parachute and a reserve parachute. The main parachute is the one used on every jump. The reserve parachute is an emergency backup that must be inspected and packed by an FAA-certified rigger every 180 days, whether it has been used or not.

The reserve parachute is there for one reason: if we don’t like what we have over our heads, we have another option.

What Is a Parachute Malfunction?

A parachute malfunction simply means something is wrong with either the parachute itself or the deployment sequence. That doesn’t necessarily mean the parachute has completely failed. In many cases, the canopy is open, but there is an issue that makes it unsafe or undesirable to land.

Common examples include:

• Line twists
• Broken lines
• Torn canopy fabric
• Incomplete deployments
• Other issues that affect the parachute’s ability to fly safely

The first thing we do after opening is perform a canopy control check. We want to know if the parachute is flying correctly, responding to our inputs, and capable of being landed safely. If we determine the parachute is not safe to land, we follow our emergency procedures, cut away the main parachute, and deploy the reserve instead.

The mindset in skydiving is fairly simple: why take the risk of landing a questionable parachute when you have a fully inspected reserve parachute available?

The Difference Between a Malfunction and a Failure

Do parachutes fail? People often use the terms “malfunction” and “failure” interchangeably, but they are not necessarily the same thing.

Partial Malfunction:

A partial malfunction means the parachute has deployed but cannot be landed safely. The canopy may be damaged, tangled, spinning, or otherwise compromised.

Total Malfunction:

A total malfunction means the parachute has not deployed correctly or has failed to inflate at all, and we are still maintaining freefall speeds.

While a total malfunction sounds more dramatic, we handle both situations using emergency procedures. Whether the issue is a partially functioning canopy or no functioning canopy at all, the goal remains the same: identify the problem, execute the appropriate procedures, and deploy the reserve parachute if necessary.

What Happens During a Malfunction?

One of the most important concepts in skydiving is the decision altitude.

Every skydiver has a predetermined altitude by which they must make a decision about the parachute over their head. Think of this as the minimum decision altitude – we can always make that decision sooner, but never later.

Let’s say a skydiver opens with line twists. They may attempt to kick out of the twists and clear the problem. That’s perfectly reasonable, as long as they have sufficient altitude.

However, once they approach their decision altitude, the situation changes. It doesn’t matter if they think they only need one or two more kicks to solve the problem. At that point, they must decide whether they have a parachute they are willing to land. If they don’t, they execute their emergency procedures, cut away the main parachute, and deploy the reserve.

This is why emergency procedures should be practiced frequently throughout a skydiver’s career. A malfunction is not the time to stop and think about what should happen next. We want the response to be immediate, deliberate, and based on training.

For example, all United States Parachute Association (USPA) tandem instructors are required to review emergency procedures every six months to maintain their rating, and many dropzones require even more frequent reviews.

How Common Are Parachute Malfunctions?

If you’re asking whether parachute malfunctions occur, absolutely. They are a normal part of skydiving. Most licensed skydivers expect to encounter one at some point during their skydiving career and train accordingly.

In 2025, the USPA reported an estimated 4,777 reserve rides across approximately 3.47 million skydives – about one reserve use for every 726 jumps. That may sound like a high number to someone outside the sport, but it actually demonstrates how skydivers actively manage risk. Reserve rides are not necessarily indicators of catastrophe. More often, they are examples of skydivers recognizing a problem and making a proactive decision. 

Most reserve deployments are not the result of a catastrophic equipment failure. They are the result of a skydiver deciding they would rather land a fully functioning reserve parachute than take a chance on a main canopy that isn’t performing as expected.

How Packing, Maintenance & Training Reduce Risk

While we can never eliminate risk entirely, we can do a tremendous amount to reduce it.

Risk reduction comes from several layers working together:

• Proper packing procedures
• Routine equipment inspections
• Reserve repacks by FAA-certified riggers
• Scheduled gear maintenance
• Emergency procedures training
• Currency requirements for instructors

Every jump involves equipment checks. Reserve parachutes are inspected and repacked by FAA-certified riggers. Automatic Activation Devices (AADs) are maintained according to manufacturer requirements. Containers, canopies, and lines are routinely inspected for wear and damage.

Most importantly, we train.

Training is what turns an emergency into a procedure. The goal is to make the correct response automatic, so that when something unexpected happens, we rely on training rather than hesitation.

For tandem students, it’s worth remembering that you’re securely attached to a highly trained professional who wants to land safely just as much as you do. Behind every tandem skydive is an entire team of instructors, riggers, packers, and support staff working together to maintain equipment, uphold standards, and sustain a strong culture of safety.

Ready to Make Your First Skydive?

Understanding how systems work is one of the best ways to build confidence before your first jump. If you have questions about tandem skydiving, equipment, or safety procedures, our team is always happy to help.

Whether you’re ready to book your skydive or simply want to learn more, we’re here to answer your questions and help you prepare for the experience. When the time comes, we’ll guide you through every step – from training on the ground to your first parachute ride back to earth.