What is a common sign of a parachute malfunction?

A common sign of a parachute malfunction is indeed a rapid spin or erratic flight path. When a parachute does not deploy correctly or experiences a malfunction, it can result in uncontrollable movements. These movements can be characterized by spinning or an unpredictable trajectory, which poses a significant danger to the skydiver.

In normal circumstances, when a parachute deploys correctly, the descent should be steady and controlled, allowing a safe landing. The presence of strong wind resistance could indicate an improper canopy deployment but wouldn't necessarily correlate with the most obvious symptoms of failure, which include spinning or erratic behavior. Fluctuating altitude during freefall can occur due to various reasons not limited to malfunction, such as body position or environmental factors. Therefore, recognizing the signs of a malfunction is crucial for a skydiver to act swiftly to address the situation, either by attempting to resolve the issue or deploying the reserve chute.