Southwest
Experienced skydiver plummets to her death despite parachute 'fully deploying as designed'
A 55-year-old woman from Minnesota died Friday, following a parachuting incident in Eloy, Arizona, according to police.
Officers with the Eloy Police Department were dispatched to Skydive Arizona on Taylor Street at about 4 p.m. on Friday, after receiving reports of a parachutist who experienced complications during the descent.
Also responding to the scene were members of the Eloy Fire District, and when they arrived, medical personnel located the individual, later identified by police as 55-year-old Ann Wick.
Emergency crews immediately initiated life-saving measures, though Wick was ultimately pronounced dead at the scene.
73-YEAR-OLD MAN DIES IN SKYDIVING INCIDENT IN ARIZONA AFTER HIS PARACHUTE FAILED TO FULLY DEPLOY
A skydiver died in Arizona on Friday despite witnesses claiming her parachute deployed properly. (iStock)
Wick had about 265 jumps under her belt, Skydive Arizona said in a press release.
The company also noted that eyewitness accounts indicate the free fall phase of Wick’s skydive appeared normal, with the parachute deploying as expected. Despite the parachute deploying fully as designed, observers noted the “canopy was turning,” the company said.
The witnesses told the company the parachutist did not appear to take corrective actions, and a reserve parachute was not deployed.
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Despite the parachute deploying fully as designed, observers noted the “canopy was turning.” (Silas Stein/picture alliance via Getty Images)
“The Skydive Arizona community is saddened by the loss of a cherished member of the skydiving family,” the company said in a statement. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.”
The company also said it is fully cooperating with local authorities to assist with the investigation.
The police department and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are investigating the incident, which includes a thorough review of equipment, procedures and circumstances surrounding the fatal fall.
Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to contact the Eloy Police Department at 520-466-7324.
FLORIDA SKYDIVER TRAGICALLY FALLS TO HIS DEATH, FOUND DECEASED ON RESIDENTIAL LAWN: POLICE
Nearly a year ago, a 73-year-old experienced skydiver died in Arizona after his parachute failed to fully deploy during a jump.
The incident also happened at Skydive Arizona in Eloy, Arizona.
The man who died, Terry Gardner, and three other skydivers were making their third jump of the day when the malfunction happened.
In an unrelated fatal incident that happened about a month before, a hot air balloon carrying eight skydivers crashed, killing the pilot and three passengers, while critically injuring another passenger. The hot air balloon was not operated by Skydive Arizona, though it crashed in Eloy. Just before the crash, all eight skydivers reportedly exited the hot air balloon.
A hot air balloon carrying eight skydivers crashed, killing the pilot and three passengers, while critically injuring another passenger in Eloy, Arizona. (Credit: FOX 10 Phoenix)
Despite the skydiving-related fatalities, Skydive Arizona notes on its website that the sport of skydiving achieved the lowest fatality rate in recorded history in 2024.
“According to the USPA, there were just 9 fatalities in the United States – a testament to a sport that has embraced not only the thrill of freefall but also the power of a community-driven approach to safety,” the company noted on its website. “To put this in perspective, over 3.65 million jumps were made across the country in 2023 – the last recorded year.”
The company said in its press release that it remains committed to upholding the highest safety standards.
Fox News Digital’s Stepheny Price contributed to this report.
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Jurors deliberating the fate of the man accused of starting the Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive wildfires in California’s history, failed to reach a verdict Thursday afternoon, telling the judge they were deadlocked.
A spokesperson from the United States Attorney’s Office told KTLA that jurors will continue to deliberate until they reach a verdict or give up.
Jonathan Rinderknecht, 30, a former Uber driver and one-time Pacific Palisades resident, is accused of starting the Lachman Fire on New Year’s Eve. The fire continued to smolder underground for about a week, even after Los Angeles firefighters believed it had been extinguished.
Flames reignited on Jan. 7, erupting into the deadly Palisades Fire that killed 12 people and destroyed thousands of homes in the upscale community, authorities said.
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A courtroom sketch of Jonathan Rinderknecht, 29, during his initial court appearance on Oct. 23, 2025. (Bill Robles) -
The U.S. Dept. of Justice booking photo of Jonathan Rinderknecht over the Palisades Fire devastation in Malibu, California in January 2025 (AP).
Prosecutors argued that Rinderknecht deliberately set the fire, claiming he had grown increasingly resentful of wealthy residents and viewed Pacific Palisades as a symbol of that frustration.
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The defense argued there is no direct physical evidence tying Rinderknecht to the fire and said the prosecution’s case relies entirely on circumstantial evidence. Rinderknecht did not testify during the trial.
Defense attorney Steve Haney spoke outside the courthouse Wednesday about why he believes it will be difficult for prosecutors to prove how the fire started.
“The lack of scene preservation. The fact that they got there after a lot of the evidence was missing. Not a lot of direct evidence. This is a circumstantial case, which is always difficult as a prosecutor to prove,” Haney said.
Rinderknecht, who was arrested and indicted last October, faces up to 45 years in prison if found guilty of three arson counts, including destruction of property by means of fire, arson affecting property used in interstate commerce and timber set afire.
Tony Kurzweil contributed to this report
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