A paratrooper was found dead this weekend in northwest Louisiana after his parachute failed to deploy, authorities said. He was briefly reported missing in the aftermath of the jump.
The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office identified the skydiver as an Asian man but did not release his name. On Saturday afternoon, the office said it was searching for a skydiver last seen in the Gilliam area, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) north of Shreveport. The sheriff had received a report from Gilliam Airport just before 1:30 p.m. local time saying he was missing.
According to the sheriff’s office, deputies discovered the skydiver’s parachute had not deployed when they arrived at the airport. Multiple agencies began searching for the man, including an air rescue team and units from North Caddo Medical Center, the Caddo Fire District and the Wildlife and Fisheries Department, along with the Caddo Sheriff’s Office.
The missing skydiver was found dead about two hours later, the sheriff said, noting that searchers discovered his body a few miles from his intended landing site. Authorities are investigating the incident.
Parachuting accidents are rare. The United States Parachute Association reported 10 skydive fatalities in 2023, out of 3.65 million jumps recorded throughout the year. Although experts acknowledge the sport can be dangerous, the USPA says most accidents happen due to human error, not due to equipment failure.
“Many of the accidents happen because the jumper – often an experienced skydiver pushing the limits – makes an error of judgment while landing a perfectly functioning parachute,” the USPA writes on its website, comparing skydiving incidents to car accidents that “do not be normal”. usually the result of equipment failure, but rather operator error.”
