MARION COUNTY, Fla. — A jumpmaster died Friday afternoon after he fell nearly 1,200 feet from a small plane at Marion County Airport near Dunnellon, the Marion County Sheriff's Office said.
The skydiving instructor, who wasn't publicly identified, fell to his death at about 5:30 p.m. while engaging in military-style parachuting with a group of jumpers, said Lauren Lettelier, a Sheriff's Office spokeswoman.
"According to witnesses in the plane, the victim was kneeling by the jump door when his reserve chute accidentally deployed and pulled him from the aircraft," Lettelier said. "Witnesses say the victim hit the side of the plane and then fell to the ground."
Investigators said it's unclear if the man's military-style parachute fully deployed.
The death continues to be investigated.
No other details were given.
Cox Media Group
