Experienced skydiver falls to her death

Posted 1/24/22

Airglades Airport was the scene of a tragedy on the afternoon of Jan. 15 when an experienced skydiver fell to her death.

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Experienced skydiver falls to her death

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CLEWISTON – Airglades Airport was the scene of a tragedy on the afternoon of Jan. 15, 2022 when an experienced skydiver fell to her death.

According to the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) incident report, Sgt. Allen Hudson responded to the airport at approximately 3:27 p.m. in reference to a skydiver who had issues with a parachute. Richard Hornsby, owner of Skydive Spaceland, advised Hudson that the skydiver struck the ground hard and was clearly already deceased.

The deceased was identified as Susan G. Sweetman, 65, of Hainesport, New Jersey.

The individuals who had been in the plane were interviewed by law enforcement.

In a Jan. 20 interview with WINK Television News, fellow skydiver Greg Flowers said Susan Sweetman had what skydivers call a “line twist.” When she pulled the parachute, the line was twisted at the top so that the chute did not open.

Flowers, who was jumping with Sweetman, said he prayed and watched in horror as Sweetman fell.

He said she tried to untwist the line and by the time she cut the line, it was too late for the reserve chute to open as she was already at 200 feet. Flowers told WINK news Sweetman was an experienced skydiver who won championships.

Skydive Spaceland issued a statement that Sweetman’s accident was on the second dive of the day and her personal equipment was in good condition.

skydiver, Airglades, death, Clewiston

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