Chilean Skydiver Dies After Both Parachutes Fail To Deploy Properly

A 40-year-old Chilean woman was killed in a skydiving accident after she experienced trouble with both parachutes.

Maria Aldrich | Oct 30, 2024

Skydiver / Unsplash

Carolina Muñoz Kennedy recently went skydiving in Boituva, Brazil when tragedy occurred. When it was time for Kennedy's main parachute to deploy, it unexpectedly malfunctioned. As her reserve parachute deployed, she soon noticed that the lines were twisted.

According to the The Sun, Kennedy had followed emergency protocols as she tried to fix her lines, but she was unsuccessful and fell to the ground at a horrifying rate. It was reported that she initially survived the fall, but despite receiving immediate medical attention and being transported to a nearby hospital, her injuries were too extensive for her to pull through.

"She was lying there on the ground waiting for help and people were calling the fire department and the police," said witness, José Soares de Melo. "I felt incredibly sad, shocked."

Witnesses at the scene reported that Kennedy had attempted to make an emergency landing as she was trained to do, but she landed on the road after crashing into trees on her rapid descent.

Kennedy was an experienced skydiver who had made numerous skydives before her last jump and was an active member of the Brazilian Skydiving Confederation. Outside of her skydiving passion, Fox News shared that she worked as a physiotherapist and a chiropractor. Just two days before this fatal day, she celebrated her 40th birthday.

Authorities are now working on an investigation of her skydiving equipment for forensic analysis. The Brazilian Skydiving Confederation (BSC) will also complete a report.

"At this difficult time, our thoughts are to our dear colleague, her family members and the entire parachute community," the BSC stated. "We reiterate our commitment to safety and integrity of all those involved in the sport."

Kennedy will be cremated this week and her ashes will be brought to Chile. The skydiving community, friends, and family are mourning her tragic passing at this time.

Published Oct 30, 2024

MARIA ALDRICH

Maria Aldrich graduated from SUNY Potsdam with a degree in Exercise Science and a minor in Wilderness Education. While earning her degrees, she learned the fundamentals of climbing, wilderness travel, and leadership in the backcountry. These skills built upon Maria's lifelong passion for the outdoors. Following graduation, she began working in the outdoor recreation field, serving individuals with disabilities to help them access outdoor pursuits including hiking, paddling, horseback riding, and snowshoeing. The following year, Maria moved to the Adirondack Mountains in New York State to continue working towards a life of adventure and writing. She has continued rock and ice climbing, hiking in the High Peaks of the Adirondacks, and paddling through various rivers while documenting her experiences through writing. When Maria isn’t adventuring in the mountains, she can be found reading a book, fishing on a shoreline, or spending time with family.