Dad, 51, Plunges to His Death in ‘Terrible’ Skydiving Accident While Testing New Parachute

Authorities in Italy have opened an investigation into a fatal skydiving accident involving a veteran jumper who plummeted to his death while testing a new high-performance parachute.

Simone Bacchiega, a 51-year-old father of two and experienced skydiver from Cremona, died on March 25 at the Is Paulis airfield. Despite having completed more than 600 successful jumps, Bacchiega lost control during his first flight with a newly acquired canopy.

The incident occurred after Bacchiega ascended to an altitude of over 13,000 feet with two companions. Preliminary reports indicate the jump proceeded without issue until the final phase of the descent.

According to witness accounts and initial findings:

• The Equipment: Bacchiega was utilizing a Crossfire 109, a high-performance canopy known for its speed and responsiveness.
• The Maneuver: At approximately 130 feet from the ground, the skydiver allegedly executed a sudden turn, likely attempting to adjust his landing trajectory.
• Environmental Factors: On-site witnesses suggested that unpredictable crosswinds may have destabilized the canopy during the low-altitude turn.

The sudden loss of lift caused Bacchiega to plummet. Field instructors described the impact as “terrible,” noting that while emergency services arrived within minutes to perform CPR, the injuries sustained were non-survivable.

The local prosecutor’s office has officially seized Bacchiega’s equipment for a technical forensic analysis. Investigators are working to determine if the tragedy resulted from a mechanical failure of the new parachute, environmental interference, or a miscalculation during the high-performance maneuver.

Notably, officials at the Is Paulis airfield confirmed this marks the first fatal accident in the facility’s history.

Bacchiega was a well-known figure in Cremona, where he operated a maintenance firm. Beyond skydiving, he was an avid boxing enthusiast. Friends and colleagues expressed shock at the loss of a man they described as a meticulous and seasoned athlete.

“We still can’t believe Simone is no longer with us,” a close friend told the Italian press.

Bacchiega is survived by his son and daughter. His remains will be transported back to his hometown of Cremona once Italian authorities conclude the initial phase of their investigation and grant official clearance.

Italian police have not yet released a formal statement regarding the specific technical findings of the equipment seizure.