Skydiving instructor perishes after exiting plane without a parachute, while student astonishingly survives

The instructor was only 35 years old

A skydiving instructor in Nashville has tragically passed away after apparently falling from the sky without a parachute.

The Metro Nashville Police Department confirmed in a post on X that the instructor became separated from a tandem rig with a student skydiver, who ultimately survived the tragic event.

The unidentified person was rescued from a tree by emergency services after becoming stuck ‘with an open parachute in the woods in the 4500 block of Ashland City Highway,' police confirmed.

“Fire Dept rescuers have just brought down a skydiver who was lodged in a tree with an open parachute in the woods in the 4500 block of Ashland City Highway,” the Metro Nashville Police Department stated in a release on X.

The skydive went disastrously wrong (Getty Stock Photo)

The statement continued: “He will be alright. This skydiver became detached from a tandem rig with an instructor while exiting the plane. The instructor is believed to have fallen without a parachute and has not been found.

“Three other skydivers who jumped shortly before landed safely. The plane also landed safely at Tune Airport.”

A police update reported that the body of the 35-year-old instructor had been discovered.

"An MNPD helicopter crew located the 35-year-old instructor, deceased, in a clearing of a wooded area off Ashland City Highway," they stated.

"The FAA will be conducting an investigation into this skydiving incident."

The Nashville Fire Department shared photos on X from the rescue operation, showing firefighters climbing a ladder to rescue the trapped skydiver.

In a statement, the Fire Department said: "An NFD rescuer safely reached the parachute jumper, released him from the harness, and helped him down the ladder using a pulley system.

"The patient is awake, alert, and in stable condition after being suspended for hours. As a precaution, the patient will be transported to the hospital."

Go Skydive Nashville, the company organizing the skydives, states on their website that skydiving equipment is regularly checked.

"Your instructor wears two parachutes: a large, stable main parachute and a reserve parachute," the website explains.

An inquiry is currently underway (Nashville Fire Department)

"You wear a specially-designed tandem skydiving harness that securely connects you to your instructor."

Go Skydive Nashville stated to UNILAD: "A skydiving incident occurred on Saturday, October 4, 2025, leading to the unfortunate loss of one life."

"The details of the incident are still being established, and Go Skydive Nashville is fully cooperating with local authorities during their investigation."

"The identity of the deceased is being withheld until next of kin are notified."

"Go Skydive Nashville is committed to upholding the highest standards of training, safety, and professionalism. Currently, the team is focused on supporting those impacted by this tragedy."