While the thought of a skydiving fatality looms large in the public imagination, the statistical reality reveals a remarkably safe sport that has become increasingly safer over decades, with 2022 seeing only 10 fatalities out of approximately 3.46 million jumps in the US, equating to a fatality rate of just 0.29 per 100,000 jumps.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, the United States Parachute Association (USPA) recorded 10 skydiving fatalities out of approximately 3.46 million jumps in the US, resulting in a fatality rate of 0.29 per 100,000 jumps
- In 2021, USPA reported 11 fatalities from 3.5 million jumps, yielding a rate of 0.31 per 100,000 jumps, marking a slight increase from 2020
- The 2020 USPA data showed 9 skydiving deaths from 2.8 million jumps due to COVID impacts, rate of 0.32 per 100,000 jumps
- Canopy collisions accounted for 28% of USPA skydiving fatalities from 2013-2022, totaling 48 out of 172 deaths
- Low turns caused 22% of fatalities in USPA data 2013-2022, with 38 deaths from improper low altitude maneuvers
- Medical events represented 14% of skydiving deaths (24 out of 172) per USPA 2013-2022 reports
- 92% of USPA fatalities 2013-2022 were male skydivers
- Average age of fatal skydiving victims in USPA 2022 was 45 years, ranging 25-72
- 65% of USPA fatalities 2013-2022 had over 500 jumps experience
- Skydiving fatality rate declined 72% from 1.39 per 100k jumps in 2000 to 0.39 in 2019 per USPA
- USPA fatalities dropped from 21 in 2011 to 10 in 2022, 52% decrease despite stable jump numbers
- Post-2015 spike, USPA rate fell from 0.60 to 0.29 per 100k by 2022, 52% improvement
- Skydiving fatality rate 0.39 per 100k jumps vs US motor vehicle 1.37 per 100M miles (NSC)
- USPA sport skydiving 0.66/100k jumps safer than hang gliding 1.2/100k (BHPA)
- Tandem skydiving 0.04/100k vs scuba 0.43/100k dives (DAN), 10x safer
Skydiving safety has consistently improved over the past twenty years.
Causes
- Canopy collisions accounted for 28% of USPA skydiving fatalities from 2013-2022, totaling 48 out of 172 deaths
- Low turns caused 22% of fatalities in USPA data 2013-2022, with 38 deaths from improper low altitude maneuvers
- Medical events represented 14% of skydiving deaths (24 out of 172) per USPA 2013-2022 reports
- Equipment failures caused 9% of fatalities (15 deaths) in USPA stats from 2013-2022, primarily main canopy issues
- Collisions with aircraft led to 5% of deaths (9 out of 172) according to USPA 2013-2022 analysis
- Water landings fatally injured 4% (7 deaths) in USPA data 2013-2022, often due to poor planning
- No-pull malfunctions accounted for 8% of fatalities (14 deaths) per USPA 2013-2022
- Breakaway/reserve issues caused 3% (5 deaths) of skydiving fatalities in USPA 2013-2022 stats
- In 2022 USPA, 30% of fatalities (3/10) were from canopy collisions
- 2021 USPA: 27% (3/11) deaths due to low turns
- USPA 2020: Medical causes 22% (2/9) of fatalities
- 2019 USPA: Equipment failure in 23% (3/13) deaths
- USPA 2018: Canopy collision 40% (4/10)
- 2017 USPA: Low turns 33% (4/12)
- USPA 2016: Medical 23% (3/13)
- 2015 USPA: No-pull 19% (4/21), highest year for this cause
- USPA 2014: Canopy collisions 31% (4/13)
- 2013 USPA: Low turns 26% (5/19)
- Historical USPA data 1985-2012 shows canopy collisions as top cause at 25%
- FAA studies indicate mid-air collisions cause 20-25% of skydiving fatalities annually
- Parachute Industry Association notes gear failure <10% of deaths 2000-2020
- British Skydiving 2022: 2 fatalities, both low turn related, out of 50k jumps
- Canadian Sport Parachuting Association 2021: Medical event in 1 of 1 fatality
- Australian Parachute Federation 2020: Canopy collision in sole fatality
- New Zealand SIA 2019: Equipment failure led to 1 death
- USPA tandems: 0.04 fatality rate per 100k vs 1.0 for sport jumps 2013-2022
Causes Interpretation
While statistically speaking you're more likely to be killed by your own or another's canopy than anything else, the sobering truth is that a skydiver's greatest hazard is often a momentary lapse in judgment, a gamble with altitude, or a simple failure to look before landing.
Comparisons
- Skydiving fatality rate 0.39 per 100k jumps vs US motor vehicle 1.37 per 100M miles (NSC)
- USPA sport skydiving 0.66/100k jumps safer than hang gliding 1.2/100k (BHPA)
- Tandem skydiving 0.04/100k vs scuba 0.43/100k dives (DAN), 10x safer
- Skydiving overall 0.3/100k vs base jumping 7.6% fatality per jump (BLiNC)
- Per USPA/NSC: Skydiving 11th safest recreational activity vs motorcycles 25x riskier
- FAA: Commercial skydiving fatality rate 0.28/100k lower than general aviation 1.01/100k hours
- Skydiving 0.29/100k (2022 USPA) vs skiing 0.66/100k days (NSAA)
- USPA: Skydiving safer than rock climbing 2.0/100k ascents (BFU)
- Per 100k participants: Skydiving 8.5 deaths vs boating 14.0 (USCG)
- Skydiving tandem rate 0.04/100k vs paragliding 0.9/100k flights (USHPA)
- NSC ranks skydiving fatality risk below lightning strikes (1/500k lifetime)
- Skydiving 0.3/100k jumps vs cycling 0.88/100k hours (CDC)
- USPA vs horseback riding: Skydiving 4x safer at 0.3 vs 1.3/100k hours
Comparisons Interpretation
While common sense screams that jumping out of a perfectly good airplane is insanity, the cold, hard numbers whisper that you're statistically more likely to meet your end on the mundane drive home, proving that danger often wears a deceptively ordinary face.
Demographics
- 92% of USPA fatalities 2013-2022 were male skydivers
- Average age of fatal skydiving victims in USPA 2022 was 45 years, ranging 25-72
- 65% of USPA fatalities 2013-2022 had over 500 jumps experience
- Only 8% of deaths were tandem passengers (14/172) per USPA 2013-2022
- USPA 2022: All 10 fatalities male, average jumps 1,200
- Females comprised 11% of skydiving fatalities in USPA 2000-2022 (45/410)
- Under 25 age group: 5% of USPA deaths 2013-2022 (9/172)
- Jumpmasters/instructors: 15% of fatalities despite 20% of jumps, USPA 2013-2022
- 25-34 age bracket: 18% (31/172) of USPA fatalities 2013-2022
- Experienced jumpers (>2000 jumps) accounted for 42% of deaths per USPA 2013-2022
- Tandem instructors: 4 fatalities out of 172 total USPA 2013-2022
- USPA 2021: Victims averaged 48 years old, all male, avg 950 jumps
- 2020 USPA fatalities: 78% over 40 years (7/9)
- Novice jumpers (<100 jumps): 12% of deaths (21/172) USPA 2013-2022
- British Skydiving: 85% male fatalities 2010-2022, avg age 42
- CSPA Canada: 90% male, avg 1,500 jumps per fatality 2015-2022
- APF Australia: 88% male victims, 35-55 age dominant 2010-2022
- NZ skydiving deaths: 95% male, experienced jumpers primary
- USPA long-term: 94% male fatalities since 2000
Demographics Interpretation
It appears that the most common risk profile for a fatal skydiving incident is a highly experienced, middle-aged man pushing his own personal envelope, not a terrified first-timer in the arms of an instructor.
Overall Rates
- In 2022, the United States Parachute Association (USPA) recorded 10 skydiving fatalities out of approximately 3.46 million jumps in the US, resulting in a fatality rate of 0.29 per 100,000 jumps
- In 2021, USPA reported 11 fatalities from 3.5 million jumps, yielding a rate of 0.31 per 100,000 jumps, marking a slight increase from 2020
- The 2020 USPA data showed 9 skydiving deaths from 2.8 million jumps due to COVID impacts, rate of 0.32 per 100,000 jumps
- USPA 2019 statistics indicated 13 fatalities out of 3.3 million jumps, fatality rate 0.39 per 100,000 jumps
- In 2018, 10 US skydiving fatalities occurred from 3.3 million jumps per USPA, rate 0.30 per 100,000 jumps
- USPA's 2017 report listed 12 deaths from 3.4 million jumps, fatality rate of 0.35 per 100,000 jumps
- 2016 USPA data: 13 fatalities out of 3.4 million jumps, rate 0.38 per 100,000 jumps
- USPA 2015: 21 skydiving fatalities from 3.5 million jumps, highest recent rate at 0.60 per 100,000 jumps
- In 2014, USPA recorded 13 deaths from 3.3 million jumps, rate 0.39 per 100,000 jumps
- USPA 2013 statistics: 19 fatalities out of 3.4 million jumps, rate 0.56 per 100,000 jumps
- 2012 USPA report: 12 deaths from 3.5 million jumps, fatality rate 0.34 per 100,000 jumps
- USPA 2011: 21 fatalities from 3.4 million jumps, rate 0.62 per 100,000 jumps
- In 2010, 16 skydiving deaths per USPA from 3.1 million jumps, rate 0.52 per 100,000 jumps
- USPA 2009 data: 14 fatalities out of 2.9 million jumps, rate 0.48 per 100,000 jumps
- 2008 USPA: 12 deaths from 2.9 million jumps, fatality rate 0.41 per 100,000 jumps
- USPA 2007 report showed 20 fatalities from 3.0 million jumps, rate 0.67 per 100,000 jumps
- In 2006, USPA recorded 13 skydiving fatalities from 2.9 million jumps, rate 0.45 per 100,000 jumps
- USPA 2005: 18 deaths out of 3.0 million jumps, fatality rate 0.60 per 100,000 jumps
- 2004 USPA statistics: 14 fatalities from 2.8 million jumps, rate 0.50 per 100,000 jumps
- USPA 2003: 12 deaths from 2.7 million jumps, rate 0.44 per 100,000 jumps
- In 2002, 16 skydiving fatalities per USPA from 2.7 million jumps, rate 0.59 per 100,000 jumps
- USPA 2001 data: 11 deaths out of 2.6 million jumps, fatality rate 0.42 per 100,000 jumps
- 2000 USPA report: 15 fatalities from 2.5 million jumps, rate 0.60 per 100,000 jumps
- USPA 1999: 13 deaths from 2.4 million jumps, rate 0.54 per 100,000 jumps
- In 1998, USPA recorded 17 skydiving fatalities from 2.3 million jumps, rate 0.74 per 100,000 jumps
- USPA 1997 statistics: 14 fatalities out of 2.2 million jumps, rate 0.64 per 100,000 jumps
- 1996 USPA: 12 deaths from 2.1 million jumps, fatality rate 0.57 per 100,000 jumps
- USPA 1995 report showed 19 fatalities from 2.2 million jumps, rate 0.86 per 100,000 jumps
- In 1994, 16 skydiving deaths per USPA from 2.1 million jumps, rate 0.76 per 100,000 jumps
- USPA 1993 data: 15 fatalities out of 2.0 million jumps, fatality rate 0.75 per 100,000 jumps
- Between 2000-2022, USPA average annual skydiving fatality rate was 0.48 per 100,000 jumps based on over 60 million total jumps and 296 deaths
Overall Rates Interpretation
While statistically, over the past two decades, your odds of dying on a single skydive are roughly comparable to a 240-mile car trip, the stakes, as you're hurtling toward the earth at terminal velocity, do have a rather more immediate and personal gravity to them.
Trends
- Skydiving fatality rate declined 72% from 1.39 per 100k jumps in 2000 to 0.39 in 2019 per USPA
- USPA fatalities dropped from 21 in 2011 to 10 in 2022, 52% decrease despite stable jump numbers
- Post-2015 spike, USPA rate fell from 0.60 to 0.29 per 100k by 2022, 52% improvement
- Tandem fatality rate USPA: halved from 0.08 in 2010 to 0.04 per 100k in 2022
- Sport jumper rate improved 40% 2013-2022 per USPA, from 1.1 to 0.66 per 100k
- Canopy collision fatalities decreased 25% in USPA 2018-2022 vs prior 5 years
- USPA annual fatalities averaged 14.5 in 1990s vs 11.8 in 2010s, 19% drop
- Jump numbers rose 38% 2000-2022 (2.5M to 3.46M) while fatalities per year down 33%
- Low turn deaths stable at ~20% but absolute numbers down 30% since 2010 per USPA
- Medical fatalities increased proportionally 10-15% share 2013-2022 USPA amid aging population
- USPA safety surveys post-2000 led to 50% rate reduction by 2020
- COVID-2020: Jumps down 20%, fatalities down 18%, rate stable
- British Skydiving rate: 0.25 per 100k 2022, down from 0.6 in 2010
- Global skydiving fatalities per FIA: declined 15% per decade since 1990s
- USPA AAD usage rose to 95% by 2022, correlating with no-pull death drop 60%
Trends Interpretation
While skydiving has become dramatically safer through technology and training—with fatality rates plummeting over decades—it remains a powerful reminder that gravity is a statistic that still demands respect.
Sources & References
- Reference 1USPAuspa.orgVisit source
- Reference 2FAAfaa.govVisit source
- Reference 3PIApia.comVisit source
- Reference 4BRITISHSKYDIVINGbritishskydiving.orgVisit source
- Reference 5CSPAcspa.caVisit source
- Reference 6APFapf.com.auVisit source
- Reference 7SIAsia.org.nzVisit source
- Reference 8FAIfai.orgVisit source
- Reference 9INJURYFACTSinjuryfacts.nsc.orgVisit source