A seasoned 73-year-old skydiver, Terry Gardner from Casa Grande, Arizona, has tragically passed away after his parachute failed to fully open during a jump with friends at 14,000 feet. The incident occurred on Wednesday, during the group's third jump of the day with Skydive Arizona in Eloy.

Gardner was part of a group of experienced skydivers attempting a formation jump from approximately 14,000 feet. However, their attempt was unsuccessful, leading to a tragic turn of events for Gardner. When he tried to open his parachute, he encountered difficulties as the main canopy failed to fully deploy, resulting in a rapid descent to the ground.

While the other three skydivers were able to land safely, Gardner was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital. Despite the efforts of medical professionals, he later succumbed to his injuries. Friends and fellow skydivers fondly spoke of Gardner, describing him as an organizer and an expert skydiver who assisted others in their pursuit of the sport.

According to a statement from Skydive Arizona, Gardner was a highly experienced skydiver with several thousands of jumps. The company clarified that the accident occurred due to the failure to deploy the reserve parachute. They also mentioned that the skydiver was using his own parachute gear, which was regularly maintained. Clear and calm weather conditions were reported during the time of the incident.

An investigation into the cause of the accident is currently underway, with both Skydive Arizona and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) involved. The FAA will focus on examining the packing of the parachute as well as examining the flight rules for the pilot and aircraft involved.

The tight-knit skydiving community in Eloy, Arizona, is deeply saddened by the loss of Gardner. Sara Curtis, the vice mayor of Eloy and a longtime skydiver herself, expressed the difficulty of having such a tragedy occur within their community. She emphasized Gardner's passion for the sport and his dedication to helping others learn.

This unfortunate incident marks the second deadly incident involving skydiving in Eloy within a month. The previous incident occurred on January 14 when a hot air balloon carrying skydivers crashed, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries. The FAA is still investigating that particular accident.

As the investigation continues, friends and family of Terry Gardner are left to mourn the loss of a beloved and experienced skydiver. The Eloy community will remember him with joy, honoring his dedication to the sport he loved.