At 1109 hours CST on 12 March, 1972, a parachutist was fatally injured by impact with the ground following a free fall descent at Lower Light, South Australia. The weather was not a factor in the accident and the dropping zone was satisfactory. When the main parachute was inspected after the accident the pins were found to have been extracted from the cones and the folded parachute, still contained in the sleeve, was beneath the pack in a manner consistent with the pack having opened at impact. The ripcord handle was partly withdrawn, also in a manner consistent with this having occurred at impact.