Tragic Death of Experienced Skydiver at Dunkeswell Airfield

A seasoned skydiver with over 10,000 jumps has tragically died during a wingsuit jump in the UK.

Emergency services were called to Dunkeswell Airfield on Saturday afternoon following reports of a skydiver sustaining serious injuries while making a wingsuit jump with a companion, according to reports.

The victim, identified as 49-year-old Chas McNeil, was pronounced dead at the scene, as confirmed by Devon and Cornwall Police.

Authorities have informed McNeil’s family of his passing.

Skydive South West, which operates at the airfield, expressed deep sorrow at the loss of the “experienced” and “licensed” skydiver, noting he had completed “more than 10,000 jumps” prior to this incident.

According to the facility, he was using his personal parachute gear along with a modern wingsuit at the time of the accident.

“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to his family, friends, and the wider skydiving community during this incredibly tough time. As a small, family-run drop zone, this loss hits us on a personal level,” Skydive South West said.

The statement remarked on the tight-knit nature of the UK skydiving community, emphasizing that the loss affects everyone involved.

Following the incident, the club reported that they had notified police and British Skydiving to facilitate an independent investigation into what transpired.

British Skydiving confirmed the fatality of an “experienced skydiver from Dunkeswell Airfield” through a statement on social media.

They added that a Commission of Inquiry would be established in the future to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident.

“Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and everyone impacted by this tragedy,” they stated.

Dunkeswell Airfield has a historic background, originally serving as a US naval base during World War II before transitioning to a Royal Air Force base and eventually civilian use.

This event follows closely after the death of a celebrated French wingsuit skydiver, who died due to parachute failure while free-falling from a significant height.

Pierre Wolnick, a two-time free fly world champion, passed away on February 7 after jumping from a helicopter over the Mont Blanc massif. His parachute did not deploy, and it took several hours for rescue teams to locate him in a rocky area.

Wolnick was set to represent France in the upcoming 2026 World Air Sports Federation Championships.