Authorities Investigate Second Deadly Skydiving Incident in Eloy, Arizona

The authorities are currently investigating the tragic death of a 73-year-old skydiver in Eloy, Arizona, marking the second deadly incident in the area within less than a month. The victim, Terry Gardner, was an experienced skydiver with thousands of jumps under his belt, and the fatal accident occurred during a formation jump from approximately 14,000 feet.

Details of the Incident

Terry Gardner and three other experienced skydivers had planned a formation jump, but unfortunately, Gardner's main parachute failed to fully deploy, leading to his tragic death. Despite the unsuccessful formation jump, authorities do not believe it contributed to the accident. While the other three skydivers landed safely, Gardner was rushed to a hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries.

Investigation Underway

Skydive Arizona, where Gardner was a regular and experienced skydiver, confirmed that he did not deploy the reserve parachute and that the gear was owned and maintained by Gardner himself. They also stated that the weather conditions were clear and calm at the time of the jump. An investigation is currently ongoing to determine the cause of the accident, and further statements will be issued by Skydive Arizona upon the conclusion of the investigation.

FAA Involvement

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has also initiated an investigation into the incident, looking into the parachute packing and the flight rules for the pilot and aircraft involved. If no regulatory violations are found, the case will be transferred to the Eloy police for further investigation.

Remembering Terry Gardner

Sara Curtis, Eloy's Vice Mayor and an experienced skydiver herself, paid tribute to Gardner, stating that he "died doing what he loved" and was known for helping others learn and leading jumps as an organizer.

Previous Incidents

This recent tragedy follows another deadly incident in Eloy last month, where a hot air balloon crash resulted in the death of a pilot and three passengers, with another passenger critically injured. Additionally, a month prior, a 36-year-old man in Colorado tragically lost his life while skydiving in a wingsuit when neither his primary nor reserve parachute deployed before hitting the ground.

In summary, the skydiving community in Eloy, Arizona, is reeling from the loss of Terry Gardner and continues to mourn the previous tragic incidents. The investigations into both incidents are ongoing, and authorities are working to ensure the safety and well-being of all skydiving enthusiasts.