One skydiver killed and one injured after midair collision in Washington state
A skydiving collision in Washington state left Randy Hubbs dead and Nicole Klein injured during a scheduled group jump at West Plains Skydiving.
Intelligence analysis by GPT-5.4 Mini
Authorities say two skydivers collided during descent at West Plains Skydiving in Washington state, killing Randy Hubbs and injuring Nicole Klein. Investigators say weather was not a factor and the jump involved 11 people.
Two people were skydiving in Washington state when their parachutes hit each other in the air. One person died and the other got hurt.
It is a bit like two bikes crashing on a narrow path, except this happened high above the ground and at much faster speeds. After the bump, one parachute was no longer being controlled properly.
Police and skydiving staff are trying to figure out exactly what happened. They said the weather was not the problem, and the jump had many people involved.
Analysis
What happened
Adams county sheriff’s office said it was called on Sunday evening after reports that two skydivers needed medical attention. Deputies later said a midair collision had left one person dead and the other needing treatment at a medical facility.
Who was involved
Investigators identified the skydivers as Randy Hubbs, from the Kennewick area, and Nicole Klein, from the Colville area. The sheriff’s office said preliminary findings indicate the two collided in flight during descent.
What investigators and witnesses saw
According to authorities, Hubbs became incapacitated after the collision and was no longer controlling his parachute canopy. Staff members reportedly tracked him from about 500 feet above ground level as he drifted north and away from the drop zone. Witnesses said he appeared unresponsive before disappearing beyond a hill northeast.
What the company said
West Plains Skydiving said the two parachutes came into contact at about 1,000 feet above the ground, with neither jumper aware of the other’s position. The company said the local skydiving community is mourning Hubbs and is thinking of Klein and her family as she recovers.
The company also said Hubbs had completed more than 800 jumps and Klein 900. Authorities said weather was not considered a contributing factor, and that 11 people took part in the jump operation.
Key points
- Authorities said a midair collision during a scheduled group jump caused the fatal incident.
- Randy Hubbs died and Nicole Klein was injured.
- Investigators said weather was not a contributing factor.
- West Plains Skydiving said the two parachutes came into contact around 1,000 feet above ground.
- The jump operation involved 11 people.
