NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Boston, MA, July 14, 2026 — A 28-year-old Indian-origin man died in a skydiving accident in Massachusetts on July 12 after a sudden gust of wind reportedly disrupted his parachute during landing, authorities said.
Mani Chandra Teja Gaddam was participating in a skydive at Jumptown Skydiving in Orange, Massachusetts, when the accident occurred Sunday afternoon.
According to local authorities and the skydiving center, Gaddam was descending under an open parachute when an unexpected gust of wind interfered with his landing approach. He reportedly fell from approximately 30 feet above the ground during the final phase of his descent.
Emergency responders rushed Gaddam to Athol Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The Northwestern District Attorney’s Office and other authorities are investigating the incident. Officials have not indicated that an equipment malfunction contributed to the accident, and no official cause of death has yet been released.
In a statement, Jumptown Skydiving said it was deeply saddened by the tragedy and is cooperating fully with investigators. The company described the accident as involving a sudden and unexpected weather event during landing.
Few additional details about Gaddam have been officially released.
However, tributes and memorial posts circulating on social media describe him as a young Indian professional who had recently begun his career in the United States. Some online memorials state that he was originally from Vijayawada and later lived in Hyderabad before moving to the U.S. They also describe him as a graduate of Northeastern University who had recently earned his skydiving A License, allowing him to skydive independently. These details have not been independently confirmed by authorities.
Skydiving is generally considered a safe sport when conducted under established safety protocols, but weather conditions—particularly sudden wind shifts close to the ground—can pose serious risks during landing, one of the most critical phases of a jump.
