Skydiver dies after accident; FAA joins investigation

The Greene County sheriff's office has asked the Federal Aviation Administration to join the investigation of a skydiving accident Sunday that ended with a Centerville man hitting the ground at about 40 mph, according to reports.

Theodore Nelson, 29, of Centerville died Monday morning at Miami Valley Hospital, a spokeswoman said — almost a day after the skydiving accident at 1:36 p.m. Sunday at Skydive Greene County, 177 S. Monroe-Siding Road in Xenia Twp., according to reports.
"Something like this, you have to look at all the different aspects," Chief Deputy Mark Berry said.

The National Transportation Safety Board will also join local authorities in the investigation, FAA spokesman Tony Molinaro said.

FAA would review only the plane, pilot, route and parachute packing, Molinaro said, while NTSB would conduct a broader review.

Officials from Skydive Greene County, which advertises itself as the "Oldest Drop Zone in the Midwest," could not be reached immediately.

Nelson, of 7226 Green Ash Court in Centerville, had made more than 500 jumps. He sustained serious head injuries after hitting the ground at 40 mph, Sgt. Charles Barrett of the Greene County sheriff's office said.

DaytonDailyNews.com