A skydiving instructor tragically falls from a plane without a parachute in Nashville, while his student survives after being rescued from a tree. Full details of the tragic incident and rescue operation.
A tragic skydiving accident in Nashville has claimed the life of a 35-year-old instructor, who fell from a plane without a parachute. The instructor, who was leading a tandem jump, became separated from his student mid-flight, and despite the student’s miraculous survival, the instructor’s fall ended in tragedy.
According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, the incident occurred when the instructor and his student became separated during the jump. The student was rescued from a tree after becoming stuck with an open parachute in the woods near Ashland City Highway, approximately 4500 blocks. Emergency services arrived promptly, and the student was reported to be awake, alert, and stable after hours of suspension. He was taken to the hospital for precautionary measures.
“The skydiver has been rescued and will be ok,” the police confirmed on X (formerly Twitter). “The instructor, however, is presumed to have fallen from the sky without a parachute, and his body has yet to be located.”
Fortunately, three other skydivers who had jumped moments earlier landed safely, and the plane itself touched down without incident at Tune Airport. Later, a helicopter crew from the Metro Nashville Police Department discovered the instructor’s body in a wooded clearing near Ashland City Highway.
“The FAA will be investigating this skydiving incident,” the police added in an update.
UPDATE: An MNPD helicopter crew has found the 35-year-old instructor, deceased, in the clearing of a wooded area off Ashland City Highway. The FAA will be investigating this skydiving incident.
— Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) October 4, 2025
In response to the incident, the Nashville Fire Department shared images of the dramatic rescue operation, which involved firefighters climbing a ladder to reach the stranded student. “NFD rescuers safely reached the jumper, freed him from the harness, and assisted him down using a pulley system,” the department reported. “The patient is in stable condition after being suspended for hours and will be transported to the hospital as a precaution.”
Go Skydive Nashville, the company responsible for the jump, issued a statement offering condolences and confirming that the gear used in their skydives undergoes regular inspection. Their website emphasizes the importance of safety, noting that instructors wear two parachutes— a main parachute and a reserve parachute— and that tandem harnesses are securely designed for both the instructor and the student.
“Go Skydive Nashville reports that a skydiving incident occurred on Saturday, October 4, 2025, resulting in the tragic loss of one life,” the company said. “We are cooperating fully with local authorities and will support all those affected by this tragedy.”
At this time, the identity of the deceased instructor is being withheld until next of kin are notified. The cause of the instructor’s separation from the tandem rig remains under investigation.
