Story perspectives

Air Force Launches Investigation After Tech Sgt. Patterson Fall

By Drooid · Oct 19, 2026, 10:37 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Tech. Sgt. Ian Patterson died after falling 170 feet while rappelling at the Alamodome.
The fall happened during the pregame “Salute to Armed Forces and Veterans” ceremony before the UTSA-Navy game on Oct. 17, 2026.
More than 23,000 spectators watched the uncontrolled descent, prompting a ten-minute game delay.
Air Force Brig. Gen. Scott C. Mills said the loss was felt across the 57th Wing.
Mills announced an investigation into the incident.

History

Historical Context

The USAFA’s parachute program, unofficially started in 1964 and formalized when the 98th Flying Training Squadron was reactivated in 1995, now trains up to 1,200 cadets annually. A fatal 150-foot fall of a cadet in March 1999 and the 2026 rappel collapse of Tech. Sgt. Ian Patterson echo longstanding safety challenges in military airborne training, prompting DoD investigations and calls for stricter rope-handling protocols.

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Story summary

Tech. Sgt. Ian Patterson died after falling 170 feet while rappelling at the Alamodome.
The fall happened during the pregame “Salute to Armed Forces and Veterans” ceremony before the UTSA-Navy game on Oct. 17, 2026.
More than 23,000 spectators watched the uncontrolled descent, prompting a ten-minute game delay.
Air Force Brig. Gen. Scott C. Mills said the loss was felt across the 57th Wing.
Mills announced an investigation into the incident.

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