Skydiver dies in Lodi when parachute fails to open during jump, authorities say

Oct. 14, 2018 5:40 PM PT

An experienced skydiver died Sunday when her parachute failed to open properly during a jump at the Lodi Parachute Center, authorities said.

The woman was using her own parachuting equipment when it malfunctioned, said Ian Gregor, a spokesman with the Federal Aviation Administration, which is investigating the incident.

Gregor said the agency’s skydiving accident investigations are usually limited to determining whether the parachute was properly packed by the appropriate person.

San Joaquin County coroner’s officials were also dispatched to the center to investigate the death, said Dave Konecny, a spokesman with the Sheriff’s Department. He did not have any additional information.

Bill Vause, who answered the phone at the parachute center, said he did not have information about the accident but indicated he would provide a statement on Monday.

Skydiving deaths are rare but not unheard of. In January, a 27-year-old Canadian skydiver died after apparently colliding with another jumper and falling onto the roof of a home in Perris.

Last year, the United States Parachute Assn. recorded 24 fatal skydiving accidents in the country out of roughly 3.2 million jumps, according to its website.

In 2016, it logged 21. That year, a skydiving instructor and first-time jumper were killed near Lodi when a parachute failed to open during the jump.