SINGAPORE — Preliminary investigations into the injury sustained by a full-time national serviceman (NSF) during a recent parachute training exercise in Taiwan suggest that it was caused by a cord that was not pulled taut as required.

The cord — known as a “static line” — attaches jumpers’ parachutes to the aircraft. The slack line interfered with Private (PTE) Joshua Quek’s exit from the plane, causing a neck injury.

Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen gave these details on Monday (Jan 6) in a written reply to a parliamentary question from Mr Pritam Singh, the Member of Parliament for Aljunied Group Representation Constituency.

Dr Ng said that the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) conducts about 6,000 static line parachute jumps every year and that this is the first known “static line interference” incident resulting in serious injury.

Since its inception in 1974, the SAF has graduated approximately 27,000 Basic Airborne Course (BAC) trainees.

PTE Quek was doing his fifth and final jump for his BAC on the night of Dec 18 in Taiwan.

His injury occurred when the static line “swept across his neck when he exited the aircraft”, Dr Ng said.

“This is a known risk for static-line parachute training and termed ‘static line interference’. It occurs when the line is too slack and interferes with the jumper’s exit from the plane,” he added.

Dr Ng said that PTE Quek had successfully landed within the designated landing area but had sustained injuries to the neck during the course of that jump.

He was then attended to immediately by the SAF’s on-site medical officer, and was subsequently evacuated by the on-site ambulance to the nearest tertiary hospital.

“Detailed investigations are underway to determine why this occurred and if adequate supervision was given during PTE Quek’s jump,” said Dr Ng.

He added that prior to the jump, PTE Quek had successfully undergone the requisite pre-jump qualifications, training drills and safety briefs.

“(PTE Quek) had completed the previous four static-line jumps successfully in the days prior to the incident,” said Dr Ng.

WHAT HAPPENED AFTER THE INCIDENT

Upon arrival at the tertiary hospital, a magnetic resource imaging scan revealed that PTE Quek had sustained a cervical spine injury.

He then underwent surgery to relieve the pressure on his spine on the morning of Dec 19.

A second surgery on Dec 21 to stabilise his cervical spine was also successfully completed without complications, Dr Ng said, adding that PTE Quek is in the Intensive Care Unit for observation.

The cervical spine injury sustained by PTE Quek had resulted in neurological deficits, including weakness of his upper and lower limbs.

Some partial recovery of motor functions has taken place since the second surgery, but he will require continued rehabilitation and physiotherapy for long term recovery, as well as to reduce the damage from the injury, Dr Ng said.

“While his condition is stable now, the medical opinion is that he stills needs close monitoring over the next few weeks. He will be brought back to Singapore when the specialists deem it safe to fly,” said Dr Ng.

In the meantime, Dr Ng said that all static line parachute jumps will remain suspended until the completion of a formal inquiry and only resumed when their recommendations have been implemented.

Dr Ng said: “The Board of Inquiry will comprehensively ascertain the detailed circumstances and possible contributory factors for the incident, and will examine all existing safety processes and procedures, whether they were adhered to, and recommend areas for review and enhancement where needed.”