Skydiving Instructor Killed in Nashville Accident
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Justin Robert Fuller, 35, a skydiving instructor with Go Skydive Nashville, died following a tandem jump on Oct. 4 near Ashland City Highway, according to Nashville Police.
Authorities reported Fuller and a 46-year-old client jumped from an aircraft at John C. Tune Airport around 1 p.m. During the jump, the pair became stuck on the side of the plane in a tandem rig. Fuller separated from the rig and fell to the ground.
The client's reserve parachute deployed, allowing him to land safely but becoming lodged in a tree approximately 50 to 60 feet above the ground. Rescue crews used a pulley system to retrieve him.
Fuller, previously an instructor at Skydive Tennessee for six seasons, had just started with Go Skydive Nashville two weeks prior. His body was discovered hours later in a clearing about a mile and a half from the client's landing site.
The Federal Aviation Administration is conducting an investigation to determine how Fuller became detached from the tandem rig, officials said.
Go Skydive Nashville emphasized its commitment to safety on its website, noting that in 2023, out of 3.65 million jumps, only 10 deaths were recorded, marking the lowest number in skydiving history. The company stated that tandem jumps are heavily regulated and instructors undergo rigorous training and certification.
Emergency personnel responded to the scene, but details on any additional injuries or further investigation remain incomplete.