Two licensed skydivers died in California on Friday after they collided in the air and their parachutes tangled together moments before landing. The pair had been part of a group jump at Skydive Elsinore, a well-known drop zone in Southern California, when the accident happened about 150 feet above the ground.
Both jumpers were experienced and licensed. They had already finished the free-fall part of the jump without any problem, and both parachutes had opened as expected. The trouble came in the final seconds, as the two prepared to land.
What Happened at Skydive Elsinore
Deputies were called to the 20000 block of Cereal Street in Lake Elsinore at about 11:47 a.m. on Friday. When they arrived, they found both skydivers on the ground, already receiving medical help. Ambulances took them to a hospital in nearby Wildomar, where doctors pronounced both dead.
The two had jumped with a group of 20 experienced female skydivers from about 12,500 feet. The jump was part of an organised event, and both victims had travelled from out of town to take part. Skydive Elsinore said the free fall and the opening of both parachutes went normally.
In a statement, the company said: “The collision caused their parachutes to become entangled, and both sustained critical injuries when they reached the ground.”
The Riverside County Fire Department said both women had suffered traumatic injuries. Sheriff’s deputies found them on the ground receiving medical attention before they were rushed to hospital.
Victims Identified as Georgia Jean and Levi Pimentel
The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office later named the two skydivers as Georgia Jean, 56, of South Dakota, and Levi Pimentel, 29, of Illinois. Their names were held back at first until their families had been told.
Both were licensed, experienced jumpers. They were visiting the area to join the organised event at Skydive Elsinore, one of the oldest skydiving centres in the United States.
Why Midair Collisions Happen
To understand this accident, it helps to know how the last part of a skydive works. After the parachute opens, a skydiver steers it like a small wing. Near the ground, jumpers follow a set landing pattern, much like aircraft lining up to land. Everyone must keep distance from each other, because two canopies close together can easily touch.
At 150 feet, there is almost no room for error. A skydiver at that height is only seconds from the ground. If two parachutes tangle, both lose their shape and their lift, and the jumpers fall fast. There is no time to cut away and open a reserve parachute.
Deaths like this are rare. The United States Parachute Association says its members made 3.47 million jumps in 2025, with 16 deaths in total. Landing collisions are one of the known risks, and the association points to human error, rather than faulty gear, as a major factor in most accidents.
In this case, Skydive Elsinore said there was no sign that the equipment had failed. The company has not given more detail about what led the two jumpers to cross paths so close to the ground.
FAA Investigation and Next Steps
The Federal Aviation Administration has been told about the accident and will collect both parachutes for examination. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office is also investigating, and officials have not yet released more detail about what caused the collision.
Skydive Elsinore said it is working with the authorities and offered condolences to the families, friends and loved ones of the two skydivers. The centre describes itself as the longest-running skydiving operation in North America.
Investigators will now look at the parachutes, the jump plan and witness accounts to work out how two experienced jumpers ended up on the same path at the same height. Until that work is done, the exact cause remains unknown.
| Date | Friday, November 6, 2026 |
| Time | About 11:47 a.m. |
| Place | Skydive Elsinore, Lake Elsinore, California |
| Jumpers killed | 2 |
| Group size | 20 experienced female jumpers |
| Exit height | About 12,500 feet |
| Collision height | About 150 feet |
| Victims | Georgia Jean, 56, South Dakota; Levi Pimentel, 29, Illinois |
| Equipment fault | None indicated |
| Investigation | FAA and Riverside County Sheriff |
At Skydive Elsinore in Lake Elsinore, California, during an organised group jump on Friday, November 6. The two skydivers collided about 150 feet above the ground as they prepared to land.
Georgia Jean, 56, from South Dakota, and Levi Pimentel, 29, from Illinois. Both were licensed, experienced jumpers visiting the area for an organised skydiving event.
The two collided in the air about 150 feet above the ground while preparing to land, and their parachutes became entangled. Skydive Elsinore said there was no sign of equipment failure. The FAA and the sheriff’s office are investigating.
