Two licensed skydivers died Friday after their parachutes became entangled during a midair collision at Skydive Elsinore in Lake Elsinore, California. The incident occurred at approximately 11:47 a.m. during an organized skydiving event, according to authorities and the facility.
Levi Pimentel, 29, of Aurora, Illinois, and Georgia Jean, 56, of Box Elder, South Dakota, were both pronounced dead at Inland Valley Medical Center following the accident. Both were experienced, licensed skydivers with significant jump records—Pimentel as a lead instructor and Jean with over 1,700 jumps.
The collision happened roughly 150 feet above ground as the skydivers prepared to land. Eyewitnesses reported that the freefall and parachute deployment phases were normal until the moment of impact. Skydive Elsinore confirmed in a statement that there was no evidence of equipment malfunction and that both jumpers were visiting from out of town to participate in the event.
Immediate Response and Investigations
Emergency responders from the Riverside County Fire Department arrived at the scene and transported both individuals to the hospital, where they were pronounced dead. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into the incident, as confirmed by Skydive Elsinore and local authorities.
Skydive Elsinore, one of North America’s longest-running skydiving operations, expressed grief for the victims and stated that they are fully cooperating with investigators. The company emphasized that the initial freefall and parachute deployment were uneventful, and the collision occurred during the final approach to landing.
Skydiving Safety Context
The United States Parachute Association (USPA) reports that the overall skydiving fatality rate in the U.S. is approximately 0.46 deaths per 100,000 jumps. Equipment malfunctions are cited as a rare cause of fatalities, with most incidents involving landing issues, delayed emergency responses, or canopy collisions. The USPA’s data underscores the relative rarity of such accidents but does not diminish the tragedy of this event.
This incident follows a separate skydiving tragedy in June 2023, when a plane crash in Missouri killed 12 people, including 11 jumpers and the pilot. Investigators in that case cited potential power loss as a contributing factor.
Community and Industry Reactions
The skydiving community and local residents have expressed shock and sorrow over the loss of Pimentel and Jean. Skydive Elsinore extended condolences to the families, friends, and loved ones of the victims, describing them as skilled and dedicated skydivers.
As investigations continue, the FAA and local authorities are expected to release further details in the coming weeks. The incident has prompted discussions within the skydiving community about safety protocols, particularly regarding midair collision avoidance and emergency procedures during final approach phases.