In a tragic incident on Saturday afternoon (26 October), a 37-year-old Kansas woman, Amanda Gallagher, lost her life after she accidentally backed into a plane’s spinning propeller while attempting to take photos at a skydiving event.
Picture: Amanda Gallagher/Facebook
Gallagher, a professional photographer, was hired by Air Capital Drop Zone to capture images of skydivers as they leapt from the plane mid-flight. After the skydivers exited, Gallagher rode the Cessna 182 aircraft back to the ground at the Derby landing site, located just outside of Wichita.
Once the plane touched down, Gallagher prepared to take additional photos as the next group of jumpers began boarding. According to a statement by Air Capital Drop Zone, the plane was stationary but still running as the Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office confirmed.
According to abc, authorities report that Gallagher, with her camera raised, accidentally moved into a hazardous position directly in front of the plane’s wing—a violation of standard safety procedures. Tragically, she stepped back slightly, bringing herself into contact with the spinning propeller. Emergency responders on the scene were unable to save her.
Air Capital Drop Zone expressed sorrow over the incident, reiterating the importance of safety measures around active planes. ‘For unknown reasons … she moved in front of the wing, a violation of basic safety procedures,’ the company noted, stressing that photography sessions are usually carefully coordinated to ensure safety.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are conducting a formal investigation to determine any additional contributing factors.
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