Skydiving instructor falls 800 feet and dies in Brazil after losing his balance during a jump. Video | Popular

A tragic accident occurred in the popular São Conrado region of Brazil, when a 49-year-old skydiving instructor, Jose de Alencar Lima Junior, fell to his death while attempting a high-speed flight. The former army paratrooper’s tragic dive has been captured in a harrowing viral video.

(Also read: Brazilian man dies after eating puffer fish donated by his friend)

Fatal fall during speedfly attempt

Lima, a veteran skydiving instructor with two decades of experience, was attempting speedfly – an extreme air sport similar to paragliding – when the incident occurred. While running off a cliff at Pedra Bonita, just outside Rio de Janeiro, he lost his balance shortly after deploying his parachute. In the video, shared online, a woman can be heard in the background expressing her concern and saying: “Guys, I’m worried.”

Within seconds, Lima plummeted nearly 800 feet, landing on the rocks below.

Watch the clip here:

Witness accounts and equipment concerns

Witnesses cited by the New York Post suggest that Lima may have tripped over a hole just before the fatal fall, which may have contributed to the loss of control. Additionally, police are investigating the possibility that Lima’s equipment malfunctioned during the jump.

While authorities continued to investigate, the Clube São Conrado de Voo Livre (CSCLV), which manages the launch sites for paragliding and similar air sports in the region, said Lima had not followed the correct procedure for his jump. The CSCLV explained that Lima did not use the designated ramp, but instead departed from a path, which they said is both unsuitable and prohibited for such activities. They added: “With this clarification, may the pilot rest in peace.”

(Also read: Brazilian influencer dances behind reporter about fatal bus crash, causes outrage)

An experienced skydiver and parachutist

Lima, who lived in Germany but was visiting family in Brazil, served as a paratrooper in the Brazilian Army’s Parachute Infantry Brigade. His sister-in-law described him as a seasoned professional and emphasized his two decades of skydiving experience. “We have no idea what could have happened. But he was a professional skydiver for 20 years. He had a lot of experience. What happened was an accident,” she said, expressing confusion over the circumstances that led to the tragedy. She also stated that she did not know if Lima had ever jumped off Pedra Bonita before.

Another tragic skydiving incident

This tragic accident follows the death of Chilean skydiver Carolina Munoz Kennedy, who also died last month in Boituva, Brazil. Munoz Kennedy, 40, died when both her main and reserve parachutes failed to deploy properly, leading to a fatal freefall.