Veteran Skydiver Dies After Mid Air Parachute Collision

On June 21, 2025, experienced skydiver Jasmine Black, 48, tragically lost her life in a midair collision at Skydive-Atlanta near Thomaston Upson County Airport, Georgia. As she descended toward the landing zone, her parachute entangled with that of another jumper at roughly 800 feet above ground

Emergency Measures and Fatal Outcome

Realizing the severity of the entanglement, Black executed a “cut-away” maneuver to release her main parachute and deployed her reserve chute in an advanced emergency response. Unfortunately, because she was too close to the ground, the reserve chute didn’t fully open, and she fatally impacted the landing area.Responders arrived to find her deceased on the tarmac

An Experienced Jumper

Despite possessing over 160 skydives, Jasmine Black was considered a seasoned jumper. Colleagues noted that her freefall and parachute deployment stages were smooth, and all her equipment functioned correctly, indicating the tragedy was due to altitude limitations following the parachute entanglement

Safety Context and Ongoing Investigations

This is the second fatality at Skydive-Atlanta within five years; in 2020, a tandem jump accident claimed the lives of an instructor and student. While skydiving mortality remains rare, nine deaths in roughly 4 million U.S. jumps in the past year the sport carries inherent risks, often linked to human error.

The FAA is actively involved in investigating the incident, examining parachute equipment packing, deployment devices, and organizational protocols

Remembering Jasmine Black

Family and the broader skydiving community are mourning the loss. Black’s father shared his grief and mentioned her deep spiritual faith as a source of comfort. Meanwhile, Skydive-Atlanta expressed profound condolences, honoring her memory and commitment to the sport

Broader Reflection on Parachute Safety

Tragic events like this highlight critical safety factors:

Proximity during landings: Midair entanglements at low altitude severely limit time for corrective action.

Cut-away risks: Even with correct procedure, there may not be sufficient altitude for a reserve chute to activate fully.

Community awareness: Each incident reinforces the need for ongoing safety reviews, training rigor, and procedural improvements.

Final Thoughts

Jasmine Black’s death is a somber reminder that even highly skilled skydivers can be caught in irreversible situations. As investigations continue, the incident serves to encourage the skydiving community and regulatory bodies to re-evaluate safety steps to prevent future tragedies.

Written By Fortune Davidson