Amanda Gallagher, Wichita, Kansas skydiver and travel photographer killed backing into plane propeller while taking pictures at Cook Airfield in Derby. Woman had gone out with Air Capital Drop Zone (skydiving group) as an observer to take pictures. Investigation launched.
A female skydiver and travel photographer died on Saturday after backing into plane’s propeller while taking pictures at a Kansas airfield.
Amanda Gallagher of Wichita, was critically injured in the incident and later died at the hospital, according to Sedgwick County Sheriff’s Office.
Gallagher had been snapping pictures of people getting on and off planes at the Cook Airfield in Derby, when she backed into an active propeller, KAKE reported.
What happened and what should’ve happened differently?
Emergency services were called to the privately owned airport on Saturday at around 2:40pm. They airlifted the woman to the hospital where she died from her injuries, KSNW reported.
Air Capital Drop Zone, a Kansas-based skydiving company, released a statement on Monday stating the Gallagher was on one of its flights as an observer in order to take photos.
‘After the airplane landed, for unknown reasons, as the next group of jumpers were boarding, she moved in front of the wing, a violation of basic safety procedures,’ the statement said. ‘With her camera up to shoot photos as she did so, she stepped back slightly moving toward and into the spinning propeller.’
Martin Myrtle, the company owner, went on to say that Gallagher was beautiful ‘inside and out’ and that her death had a ‘profound’ impact on the Drop Zone community.
Read a statement from Cook Airfield, ‘Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the young lady who died yesterday after a tragic accident with an airplane propeller on Cook Airfield. I wasn’t there when it happened, so I will not speculate on what could have or should have happened differently.’
Had only just started skydiving
Gallagher started skydiving earlier this month and became hooked after her first attempt, according to her Facebook page.
She posted a video of herself jumping from a plane with the caption: ‘This was my first solo jump!! I’m in love.’
Gallagher also shared an image of herself posing beside a plane in skydiving gear a week later with the caption ‘best feeling ever.’
Friends paying tribute on Facebook remembered Gallagher as a ‘young, talented photographer’ who was a ‘kind and gentle presence in the world’.
A GoFundMe page initiated to cover her funeral service costs by Monday afternoon had gathered more than $12,300.
‘On October 26th, Amanda passed away in a very sad accident, doing what she loved, skydiving and taking pictures!‘ the fundraiser stated.
‘As her family processes through this tragic accident, they could use your help covering the funeral expenses.
‘Please consider helping them out and also keeping them all in your prayers.’
The Federal Aviation Administration said in a statement Monday that it would investigate the incident along with the National Transportation Safety Board.
