Skydiver dies after missing target area, landing on plane on ground

CHESTER COUNTY, S.C. — A fatal skydiving accident was reported Saturday night in Chester County, South Carolina.

Officials said the skydiver missed the target area at Skydive Carolina and landed on the propeller of a plane that was on the ground near the hangar, WSOC-TV reported.

The skydiver, identified as 20-year-old Justin Swaggerty from Naples, Florida, died.

Swaggerty’s free fall went as planned and his parachute was deployed, Skydive Carolina officials said in a statement the next day.

A GoFundMe campaign was started to raise funds for the Swaggerty’s funeral services.

According to the campaign description, he was an aspiring pilot.

The skydiving facility is closed until further notice, and it is coordinating with authorities.

“We are devastated by this loss," owner Danny Smith said in the statement. "We are a tight knit community living out our passions but losing anyone hurts deeply. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased and our community.”

At least two other deaths have been reported at SkyDive Carolina: A 34-year-old woman died in July 2019, and another skydiver death was reported in May 2018 after a parachute malfunction. Both were described as experienced skydivers.

Brianna Chambers contributed to this report.

Cox Media Group