Skydiver killed after falling without parachute in Nashville

October 6, 2025

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the death of a 35-year-old skydiving instructor, Justin Fuller, who became separated from his student during a jump in Nashville, Tennessee. Fuller is believed to have fallen without a parachute, while his 46-year-old client survived after being trapped in a tree for hours with the emergency parachute. Police found Fuller's body in a wooded area hours after the incident, which occurred following three successful dives near Nashville's John C Tune airport.

Who is affected

Justin Fuller, the 35-year-old skydiving instructor who died
Fuller's 46-year-old client who survived the fall
Other skydivers who completed jumps that day
Nashville Fire Department personnel involved in the rescue
The broader skydiving community where Fuller was an instructor

What action is being taken

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the death
Police conducted a search using a helicopter to locate Fuller's body
The Nashville Fire Department used multiple ladders to rescue the client who was trapped in a tree

Why it matters

The incident highlights potential safety concerns in tandem skydiving operations
It resulted in the death of an experienced skydiving instructor who was passionate about teaching
The separation from safety equipment during a tandem jump raises questions about equipment reliability or procedures
The event follows another recent incident where Fuller was aboard a skydiving plane that experienced engine failure

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC