Tragic Skydive Accident Claims Life of Young Software Engineer in Massachusetts

A tragic incident occurred in Massachusetts when a 28-year-old software engineer from Hyderabad died after a sudden gust of wind caused him to fall during a skydive. Mani Chandra Teja Gaddam was seriously injured at Jumptown Skydiving and later pronounced dead at the hospital. The incident is under investigation by local authorities and the FAA, with the company expressing deep condolences. Gaddam had recently earned his A Licence for skydiving and was described by his family as a bright and hardworking individual. This incident follows another fatal accident at the same facility last year.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 15, 2026, 06:23 IST

Skydive Mishap in Massachusetts

A 28-year-old software engineer from Hyderabad, who had been residing in Boston, tragically lost his life following a sudden gust of wind that caused him to fall during a skydive in Massachusetts, as reported by authorities on Tuesday. Mani Chandra Teja Gaddam sustained severe injuries at Jumptown Skydiving in Orange around 4:00 p.m. local time on Sunday. Officials indicated that an unexpected weather change disrupted his parachute during landing. He was transported to Athol Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, according to the Northwestern District Attorney's Office.

The incident is currently under investigation by both local and state authorities, as well as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Investigators revealed that Gaddam fell approximately 30 feet due to a "sudden and unexpected gust of wind" that interfered with his parachute as he was landing. Emergency services were dispatched to Jumptown Skydiving following reports of a serious accident.

Authorities stated that the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will establish the official cause and manner of death. Jumptown Skydiving expressed their sorrow over the incident, stating, "We are deeply saddened by the incident that occurred at our facility and extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and loved ones of the skydiver involved." They further noted, "A sudden and unpredictable weather event appears to have caused the incident, and we are fully cooperating with the appropriate authorities as they conduct a thorough review. Out of respect for the investigative process and those affected, we will not comment further while the review is ongoing."

"The safety of our customers, staff, and fellow skydivers remains our highest priority," the company added.

Gaddam's family shared that he had recently obtained an A Licence from the United States Parachute Association, which permitted him to skydive independently without direct instructor supervision. They described him as "an exceptionally bright, kind, and hardworking young man with a passion for learning and embracing new challenges" in a fundraising appeal aimed at covering funeral costs. The family expressed their devastation over his untimely death.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Gaddam had been employed as a software engineer at Fidelity Investments in Boston for just over a year. Originally from Hyderabad, India, he pursued a degree in computer science before relocating to the United States for his graduate studies, completing a master's degree at Northwestern University in December 2024.

The Northwestern District Attorney's Office confirmed that the case is still under investigation by the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit, the Massachusetts State Police Crime Scene Services Section, the Orange Police Department, and the FAA. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the official cause and manner of death. This incident follows another tragic accident at Jumptown Skydiving last year, where 62-year-old Robert Szabo from Connecticut died three days after a mid-air collision with another experienced skydiver.