Tragic Skydiving Incident in Nashville Claims Life of Instructor

Sat Oct 11 2025 06:05:30 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A 35-year-old instructor died during a tandem jump when he became separated from his parachute, leading to a fatal fall in Nashville, Tennessee. The incident highlights the risks inherent in the sport, even for experienced professionals.

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the death of skydiving instructor Justin Fuller, who fell without a parachute during a jump in Nashville. Fuller's student survived after being trapped in a tree with an emergency parachute. Despite other successful jumps preceding the incident, it remains unclear how Fuller became disconnected from his safety equipment.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the tragic death of a skydiving instructor in Nashville, Tennessee, after he fell without a parachute during a tandem jump. The instructor, identified as 35-year-old Justin Fuller, was presumed to have separated from his student during the jump on Saturday.

According to police reports, Fuller appeared to have become disconnected from the tandem rig, which is essential for safety during such jumps. A police helicopter later located his body in a wooded area. Meanwhile, the Nashville Fire Department was able to rescue the student, a 46-year-old man, who remained stuck in a tree with an emergency parachute for several hours after the fall.

Authorities noted that three other skydives near the John C. Tune Airport occurred successfully before the fatal incident, with the plane from which they jumped landing safely. The circumstances surrounding Fuller's separation from his safety equipment remain unclear, raising questions about the equipment and procedures in place.

Witnesses stated that the rescued client mentioned it was his first jump, expressing that it would also be his last due to the horrifying experience. Fuller was known for his passion for skydiving and teaching others how to embrace the sport. In a recent Instagram post, he described teaching new skydivers as the most rewarding job, sharing excitement over witnessing their first jumps.

This tragic event underscores the inherent risks associated with skydiving, a sport that requires precision and safety adherence, even by seasoned professionals. Fuller had survived previous dangerous incidents himself and was committed to promoting safe practices in the air.