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Tahitian Skydiver Identified After Apparent Midair Collision at Skydive Perris

Investigators are examining whether a midair collision, equipment failure, human error or weather contributed to the death as the drop zone's safety record comes under renewed review.

Overview

  • Riverside County authorities identified the deceased as 57-year-old Pascal Pierre Petetin of Punaauia, Tahiti after first responders found him in a field near Interstate 215 on May 28.
  • Two other jumpers in the group survived the incident with one taken to a hospital in critical condition and a third uninjured.
  • Skydive Perris said the three were experienced jumpers using their own equipment and that all three deployed parachutes, adding the company believes a collision likely occurred during the fall.
  • The Riverside County Sheriff's Office and fire agencies have an active investigation that will review equipment, human factors and environmental conditions to determine the cause.
  • The death recalls a fatal 2024 accident at the same drop zone and highlights that skydiving safety is mostly governed by industry groups rather than a single federal regulator, a point that could shape follow-up scrutiny or policy discussion.