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UTSA Player Dies After 170-Foot Rappelling Fall Investigation

By Drooid · Oct 19, 2026, 12:09 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Ian Patterson Fatal Fall

Technical Sergeant Ian Patterson fell from the Alamodome’s 170-foot rafters during a pregame demonstration and died.
He lost control while rappelling in combat fatigues and hit the field near the 50-yard line.
Medical staff treated him for ten minutes before a golf cart took him to a local hospital where he died.
Brig. Gen. Scott C. Mills and UTSA President Taylor Eighmy offered condolences and support for his family.

Summary

UTSA Launches Hotline

The American Conference decided to continue the UTSA-Navy game despite the airman’s fall.
Nellis Air Force Base said its casualty-notification safeguards dictated the timing of the public release.
UTSA launched a crisis-hotline for students coping with the tragedy.
Alamodome officials, university leaders and commissioner Tim Pernetti met to review safety protocols after the incident.
The Air Force announced the fall is under investigation, with details pending release.

History

Historical Context

Mid-1990s military mishaps—like the February 1995 UH-60 Blackhawk crash in Wiesbaden and the October 1995 F-14 Tomcat loss of Lt. Kara Hultgreen—prompted DoD safety overhauls. The 1995 Air Force Academy parachute platform failure, where cadet Sergeant Ian Patterson fell 170 feet, triggered nationwide reviews and a $2.3 million rigging upgrade, tightening rope-descent standards and expanding family-support services.

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Ian Patterson Fatal Fall

Technical Sergeant Ian Patterson fell from the Alamodome’s 170-foot rafters during a pregame demonstration and died.
He lost control while rappelling in combat fatigues and hit the field near the 50-yard line.
Medical staff treated him for ten minutes before a golf cart took him to a local hospital where he died.
Brig. Gen. Scott C. Mills and UTSA President Taylor Eighmy offered condolences and support for his family.

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