A series of fatal accidents at the world’s largest skydiving facility has triggered a federal investigation, raising concerns about safety in the extreme sport.
At a Glance
- Skydive Arizona has experienced three skydiving-related deaths in less than two months
- The latest victim was a highly experienced skydiver with over 25,000 jumps who died attempting an advanced landing maneuver
- The FAA is investigating the incidents, focusing on aircraft compliance and parachute regulations
- Skydiving fatalities are rare, with less than one death per 100,000 jumps nationally
- Experts suggest the accidents may involve experienced skydivers pushing limits during landings
Three Deaths in Two Months
Skydive Arizona, spanning 90 acres near Eloy Municipal Airport, has come under intense scrutiny following three skydiving-related deaths since December. The facility, recognized as the largest drop zone in the world, has become the focal point of investigations by local authorities and the Federal Aviation Administration as they examine what led to this unusual cluster of fatal accidents in such a short timeframe.
The most recent incident occurred on February 16, claiming the life of a 47-year-old man with extensive experience. According to witnesses, the victim had completed over 25,000 jumps throughout his career before the accident. Preliminary reports indicate he died while attempting an advanced landing maneuver at low altitude after an otherwise normal jump.
Just two weeks before the February accident, 46-year-old Shawn Bowen died from injuries sustained during a hard landing after his parachute reportedly failed to deploy properly. Bowen had completed over 200 jumps in his skydiving career. One week prior to Bowen’s death, Ann Wick, 55, lost her life due to complications with her parachute during a jump. She had accumulated 267 career jumps before the fatal accident.
The Pinal County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the most recent incident, stating, “An experienced skydiver took off from Skydive Arizona. The accident took place just outside of the city of Eloy in PCSO jurisdiction.”
The victim’s name has not been released as investigations continue into what exactly went wrong during the jump.
FAA Investigation Underway
The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation into the incidents at Skydive Arizona. Unlike typical accident investigations, the FAA’s focus is not on determining the exact cause of the accidents but rather on ensuring compliance with regulations regarding parachute packing, reserve parachute requirements, and flight rules. This approach reflects the agency’s jurisdiction over aircraft operations rather than the sport of skydiving itself.
The facility has expressed condolences to the families of the victims and is cooperating fully with investigators. “The community is saddened by the loss of a cherished member of the Skydiving family. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends during this incredibly difficult time,” SkyDive Arizona said in a statement.
Despite these recent tragedies, skydiving fatalities remain statistically rare. According to the United States Parachute Association, there is less than one fatality per 100,000 jumps nationwide. In 2023, only nine deaths were reported among 3.88 million jumps across the country. The average number of skydiving fatalities has actually decreased over recent decades as equipment and training have improved.
This sounds like one sport that people should steer clear of for a while…
