A skydiving company employee was killed Saturday afternoon in an aviation-related accident at a facility in southern Arizona, according to local authorities and federal aviation records.
The victim, identified as 40-year-old Eduardo Hernandez of Tucson, was working at SkyDive Marana when the incident occurred.
Officers with the Marana Police Department responded to reports of an injured person at the facility and discovered Hernandez had been involved in an accident involving an aircraft propeller. Emergency responders from the Marana Police Department and local fire crews attempted lifesaving measures, but Hernandez was pronounced dead at the scene.
Preliminary information from the Federal Aviation Administration indicates the accident occurred around 1:30 p.m. after a Cessna 208 aircraft landed and was parked on the airport ramp. Investigators said Hernandez exited the aircraft and subsequently came into contact with the plane’s active propeller.
Authorities have not released additional details regarding the circumstances leading up to the accident.
Police said the initial investigation found no indication of foul play. The incident remains under review as local authorities and federal aviation officials continue gathering information about what occurred.
The fatal accident marks another aviation-related tragedy involving a skydiving operation in Arizona, where investigators will likely examine operational procedures and circumstances surrounding the incident as part of the ongoing review.
