A tragic skydiving collision over DeLand Municipal Airport, Deland, Florida on Monday, April 1, 2024, at around 2:30 p.m., resulted in one fatality and left another individual injured, according to the DeLand Police Department. Deland is located approximately 40 miles north of Orlando.
The individual who lost his life in the incident has been identified as 42-year-old Giulianno Scotti from Brazil. Scotti is described on a social media page as a professional skydiver, B.A.S.E jumper, and paramotor pilot who held a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He originally hailed from Manaus, Brazil, and had recently moved to the Deland area.
Scotti collided with another diver mid-air, leading to what police described as a “severe impact” upon his landing. Despite immediate life-saving attempts by arriving emergency teams, Scotti was declared dead at the scene, as stated in the police press release.
The second diver was treated on the spot for slight injuries, though their name was withheld. Investigators have yet to make public the specific details regarding the height of the fall or whether both individuals jumped from the same aircraft. An ongoing investigation into the fall is in progress, with plans for an autopsy to be carried out by the Volusia County Medical Examiner’s Office.
This was not the airport’s first encounter with such a tragic event. In October 2022, a malfunctioning parachute led to a botched landing and subsequent death of another skydiver. These incidents underscore the potential for serious accidents in the sport despite its appeal and exhilaration.
Skydiving accidents are not limited to DeLand. A notable incident in October 2023 involved a 69-year-old man who died after a hard landing in a Titusville, Florida home’s yard, roughly 40 miles east of Orlando.
According to the United States Parachute Association (USPA), there were ten fatalities from over 3.6 million skydives in 2023, marking a historic low in skydiving deaths. Yet, the USPA emphasizes that most accidents stem from human error, not equipment failure, with even experienced jumpers at risk due to judgment errors during landing.
Skydive DeLand, known for its favorable weather and proximity to the beach, attracts thousands of skydiving enthusiasts annually, conducting between 75,000 and 110,000 jumps. Experts suggest that the higher volume of activity at busier drop zones like Skydive DeLand correlates with an increased likelihood of accidents, despite skydiving being statistically safer than many other recreational activities.
The skydiving community, including regulatory bodies, prioritizes safety, endorsing rigorous training and strict protocol adherence. The USPA has set forth Basic Safety Requirements to mitigate risks, focusing on proper knowledge, preparation, and equipment use. Nonetheless, the unpredictable nature of skydiving means accidents can still occur.
