RITZVILLE, Wash – One person was killed and another injured in a mid-air skydiving collision near Ritzville on Sunday around 5:30 p.m.
The Adams County Sheriff’s Office identified the man who died as Randy Hubbs, 70, of the Kennewick area. Deputies say it occurred at Skydive West Plains (SWP) involving two jumpers during a scheduled group jump.
Skydive West Plains wrote in a statement the two are licensed skydivers, and were both jumping with their personally owned equipment. They did not identify Hubbs, but said the skydiver who died has completed 800 jumps and had been a member of the Skydive West Plains community for several years.
ACSO says the other skydiver, Nicole Klein, is from the Colville area and being treated at a Spokane hospital. SWP says she’s had 900 jumps and injured her hip and was transported to a local hospital. Her injuries are not considered life-threatening, the SWP release says.
SWP says eyewitnesses report that both jumpers experienced a normal free fall, and both deployed their parachutes without incident. At about 1,000 feet above the ground, and with neither jumper aware of the other’s position, the two parachutes came into contact. Staff observed and tracked Hubbs from approximately 500 feet above ground level as he drifted north and away from the designated drop zone. Witnesses stated Hubbs appeared unresponsive, with his head and arms down, before disappearing beyond a hill to the northeast.
Officials stated weather conditions were not considered a contributing factor in the incident. A total of 11 people were participating in the skydive.
Skydive West Plains added:
Management is fully cooperating with local authorities and the United States Parachute Association (USPA) as the investigation continues.The Skydive West Plains community is mourning the loss of a friend who has been part of the dropzone family for nearly a decade. The team’s thoughts are also with the second jumper and her family as she recovers.Skydive West Plains is a USPA Group Member Dropzone and remains committed to upholding the highest standards of training, safety, and professionalism. Out of respect for those most affected and the ongoing investigation, no further statements will be made at this time.
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