Skydiver, 21, Died After He Was 'Hit in the Neck' by Plane Wing Because Pilot Didn't Know He Was Going to Jump

A 21-year-old skydiver died in France after being “hit in the neck” by a plane wing, according to findings from an investigation released by the French Parachuting Federation. The incident occurred in Frétoy-le-Château in northern France on May 24. The skydiver, identified in reports as Martin Brachet, was killed instantly after the pilot was not aware that more than one person would jump during the first scheduled jump point. The federation said there were two planned jumps that day, and the pilot leveled the aircraft in jump configuration and activated the green signal for the jumpmaster, but then was unaware that a second skydiver would exit. After the first jump, the pilot turned off the green light and climbed, and Brachet was struck by the rear wing. Skydive Frétoy, the operator, was ordered to stop operations until June 30.