Overview
- The parachutist struck the Lane Stadium video board Saturday and hung for about 20 minutes until firefighters lowered him, delaying Virginia Tech’s spring game by roughly an hour.
- He was identified as Pasha Palanker, a retired Army special-operations veteran and experienced member of the professional Team Fastrax skydiving group.
- Palanker said gusts reached about 27 knots, which he noted exceeds the typical 14‑knot cutoff used for pregame stadium jumps.
- He said the jumbotron likely protected fans because he was flying a 1,100 square foot flag with a 26‑pound weight that could have reached the stands.
- Palanker reported soft‑tissue damage to his left shoulder, said he feels good overall, and plans to return to skydiving after he heals.