Nine Fatalities Occurred in 2024 During Civilian Jumps

It’s a proud day for the skydiving community, with annual civilian skydiving fatalities having hit single digits for the first time since 1961. The number has been on a steep descent in the past few decades despite the exponential growth of the jumping community.

A total of nine people died in civilian skydiving incidents in 2024. This is the lowest annual number recorded since 1961 and marks a significant decline from the 2000s and 2010s, which consistently saw around 20 deaths reported per year. The highest number of deaths ever recorded was 56 in both 1979 and 1981.

The jump down to nine is almost impossible to believe, especially considering how small the ratio of skydives to fatalities has become. Though the official number of jumps is still being calculated by the United States Parachute Association (USPA), it is expected to be even higher than the approximately 3.65 million skydives in 2023.

The current lowest index rate, or fatalities per 100,000 skydives, was set in 2023 at 0.27. The year also saw only 10 skydiving deaths, which held the record for fewest fatalities until being replaced by 2024.

The most common cause of civilian skydiving fatalities is landing issues, including both intentional and unintentional low turns along with non-turn-related factors. Other common causes are entanglement or instability, incorrectly following emergency procedures, equipment malfunctions, or medical problems.

The impressive decrease can be attributed to “continued improvements to equipment, training methods and emergency response techniques, as well as an overall focus on a better safety culture,” the USPA expressed. “It is a testament to the hard work and continuing vigilance of drop zone operators, safety and training advisors, instructors, skydiving equipment manufacturers and the individual jumpers themselves.”

“The loss of any life is deeply tragic, especially for the loved ones left behind,” stated USPA Executive Director Albert Berchtold. “While it may not lessen their sorrow, I hope these families can find some solace in knowing that as a community we learn everything we can from every accident so their loss may serve to make the greater community safer in the future.”

The USPA will publish the 2024 index rate and a detailed list of the year’s incidents in the coming months.

FMI: www.uspa.org