Third Death in Two Months Triggers FAA Investigation

Three experienced skydivers have lost their lives at the world’s largest drop zone in Arizona within two months, prompting an urgent FAA investigation into safety practices.

Quick Takes

A 47-year-old veteran skydiver with over 25,000 jumps died while attempting an advanced landing maneuver at Skydive Arizona.
Two other skydivers died at the same facility in the weeks prior, raising serious concerns about safety at the popular drop zone.
The FAA is investigating but focuses primarily on aircraft compliance rather than determining the cause of parachuting incidents.
Despite these tragedies, skydiving fatalities remain statistically rare at less than one death per 100,000 jumps nationwide.
Experts note that many accidents involve experienced skydivers making judgment errors, particularly during landing maneuvers.

String of Fatalities Raises Alarms at Arizona Facility

Skydive Arizona, a sprawling 90-acre facility near Eloy Municipal Airport, has come under intense scrutiny following three fatal incidents in less than two months. The most recent tragedy claimed the life of a 47-year-old skydiver with more than 25,000 jumps on his record. According to witnesses, the veteran jumper was executing an advanced landing maneuver at low altitude when something went terribly wrong. This incident marks the third death connected to the facility since January, creating a disturbing pattern that has caught the attention of federal regulators and raised questions about safety practices at the world’s largest drop zone.

The string of fatalities began with Ann Wick, 55, who died in January due to complications with her parachute during a jump. She had accumulated 267 career jumps. Just a week later, 46-year-old Shawn Bowen perished after experiencing a hard landing when his parachute reportedly failed to deploy properly. Bowen was also experienced, having completed over 200 jumps. These incidents, occurring in rapid succession, have cast a shadow over a facility that has long been considered a premier destination for skydivers from around the world.

FAA Investigation Underway

The Federal Aviation Administration has launched an investigation into these incidents, though their scope is somewhat limited. The FAA’s inquiry focuses primarily on aircraft compliance, parachute packing procedures, and adherence to flight rules rather than determining the precise causes of the accidents. This approach has drawn some criticism from safety advocates who believe a more comprehensive investigation is warranted given the unusual cluster of fatalities at a single facility. Despite these concerns, the FAA maintains that their investigation follows standard protocols for all reported skydiving mishaps.

Local authorities, including the Eloy Police Department and the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office, are also conducting their own investigations into the incidents. The sheriff’s office confirmed that the most recent accident involved “an experienced skydiver” who took off from Skydive Arizona but crashed outside Eloy city limits in their jurisdiction. These local investigations may provide additional insights beyond the FAA’s more narrowly focused inquiry, particularly regarding any potential patterns or common factors across the three fatal jumps.

Landing Dangers and Expert Errors

Safety experts and experienced skydivers have pointed to landing maneuvers as a particularly dangerous phase of any jump. Josh Zerlan, who was familiar with some of the victims, noted that “the problems occurred towards the end of the canopy ride. When you’re starting to form up for landing, some of the most dangerous times during a skydive is during the landing.” This assessment aligns with data from the United States Parachute Association, which indicates that many accidents involve judgment errors rather than equipment failures, particularly among experienced jumpers pushing their limits.

Despite the concerning cluster of fatalities at Skydive Arizona, it’s important to note that skydiving remains statistically quite safe across the nation. According to the United States Parachute Association, there is less than one fatality per 100,000 jumps, and the overall trend has been toward greater safety over decades. In 2024 thus far, only nine fatal incidents have been reported nationwide out of an estimated 3.88 million jumps. This context makes the concentration of three deaths at a single facility all the more unusual and worthy of thorough investigation.

Facility Response and Community Impact

Skydive Arizona has expressed condolences following each of the tragic incidents and pledged full cooperation with investigating authorities. In a statement after Ann Wick’s death, the facility said: “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.” The statement went on to affirm their commitment to “upholding the highest safety standards,” though these assurances will likely face increased scrutiny in light of the multiple fatalities.

The string of tragedies has deeply affected the tight-knit skydiving community. Many skydivers form close bonds through their shared passion for the sport, making these losses particularly painful. As one community member said regarding Wick’s death, “It’s just an absolute tragedy, especially someone like her who is just a warm, caring person.” As investigations continue, many in the skydiving world are calling for renewed attention to safety protocols while balancing the inherent risks that come with this extreme sport.