Authorities are currently investigating the tragic death of a 73-year-old experienced skydiver in Arizona. The incident occurred on Wednesday when Terry Gardner, along with three other skydivers, attempted their third jump of the day with Skydive Arizona. The group had planned a formation jump from an altitude of approximately 14,000 feet, but encountered complications during the jump.
While the other three skydivers landed safely, Gardner experienced difficulties when trying to deploy his parachute. Tragically, his parachute did not fully deploy, leading to a fatal outcome. Rescue crews arrived at the scene and worked to stabilize Gardner’s condition, but unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital shortly after.
The cause of the parachute malfunction is currently unknown, and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is conducting an investigation. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will also inspect the parachute to determine the cause of the complications.
The skydiving community and Skydive Arizona expressed their condolences for Gardner’s passing. In a statement, Skydive Arizona acknowledged the impact he had on the community and extended their heartfelt sympathies to his family and friends during this difficult time.
This unfortunate incident marks the second deadly skydiving-related incident in the area within the past month. A hot air balloon carrying eight skydivers crashed on January 14, resulting in the deaths of the pilot and three passengers, with another passenger critically injured. Federal authorities are still investigating the cause of that crash, with initial reports suggesting an “unspecified problem” with the balloon’s envelope, which is responsible for providing hot air to make the balloon rise.
The loss of Terry Gardner is deeply felt within the skydiving community and serves as a reminder of the risks associated with extreme sports. The investigation into both incidents will provide valuable insights to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
