ARIZONA NEWS

Skydivers survive midair swap stunt in Arizona that ends in plane crash

Apr 25, 2022, 8:56 AM | Updated: 9:23 am

(Screenshot via Red Bull Facebook)...

(Screenshot via Red Bull Facebook)

(Screenshot via Red Bull Facebook)

PHOENIX – A midair stunt between two planes above the Arizona desert went wrong Sunday with one plane crashing, but no one was injured.

Cousins Andy Farrington and Luke Aikins attempted to become the first to sky dive and land in each other’s airborne planes but the trick half-failed near Eloy.

Red Bull, which sponsored the event and livestreamed it, posted video of part of the performance.

The two Cessna 182 planes each made a controlled vertical descent. Both men jumped, with Aikins reaching the aircraft his cousin had left. That plane touched down safely.

Farrington, however, didn’t reach the other plane. It crashed but he parachuted down without harm.

Audio picked up someone asking worriedly, “You safe, Andy? You safe?”

Farrington calmly replied, “Yep, I’m all good.”

Red Bull said prior to the jump the planned feat had undergone hours of research and development to ensure success.

The Federal Aviation Administration said it denied an organizer’s request for an exemption from regulations that require people operating planes to be at crew-members stations and wear safety belts.

The FAA said the event’s organizer said the exemption was in the public interest because it would promote aviation and encourage students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math. But the agency concluded such an exemption wouldn’t be in the public interest.

An investigation is ongoing.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Carol Norrs, 86, of Mesa was found dead in the desert on Dec. 11, 2023....

KTAR.com

86-year-old Mesa woman found dead in desert nearly month after disappearance

An 86-year-old Mesa woman was found dead in a desert area almost a month after she went missing, authorities said Monday.

27 minutes ago

Protesters shout as they join march around the Arizona Capitol after the Supreme Court decision to ...

Associated Press

Arizona Supreme Court scheduled to hear arguments on abortion law

The Arizona Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments Tuesday on whether the pre-statehood abortion ban of 1864 should apply.

1 hour ago

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs sits in a classroom with a group of elementary school students in a fi...

Kevin Stone

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs invests $2M in teacher mentoring after task force issues findings

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs didn’t take long to act after her Educator Retention Task Force reported its findings, but there are plenty of issues left to address.

2 hours ago

Crews work to secure a gas leak near Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard and 92nd Street on Monday, Dec. 1...

KTAR.com

Crews work to secure significant gas leak, restricting traffic in Scottsdale

Traffic was restricted Monday morning on a major Scottsdale through street while crews worked to fix a significant gas leak, authorities said.

4 hours ago

Follow @suelenrivera...

SuElen Rivera

Tickets for ‘Hamilton’ at ASU Gammage in Tempe go on sale

Show tickets to see the Broadway sensation musical "Hamilton" in the summer in Tempe's ASU Gammage went on sale Monday.

5 hours ago

Photos of a secret compartment found in a vehicle stopped in Marana, Arizona, and some of the drugs...

KTAR.com

Arizona DPS troopers find fentanyl, cocaine, heroin hidden in secret compartment

Arizona state troopers arrested two people after finding more than 30 pounds of illegal drugs during a traffic stop last week.

6 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Follow @KTAR923...

Valley residents should be mindful of plumbing ahead of holidays

With Halloween in the rear-view and more holidays coming up, Day & Night recommends that Valley residents prepare accordingly.

...

Dierdre Woodruff

Interest rates may have peaked. Should you buy a CD, high-yield savings account, or a fixed annuity?

Interest rates are the highest they’ve been in decades, and it looks like the Fed has paused hikes. This may be the best time to lock in rates for long-term, low-risk financial products like fixed annuities.

...

Desert Institute for Spine Care

Desert Institute for Spine Care (DISC) wants to help Valley residents address back, neck issues through awake spine surgery

As the weather begins to change, those with back issues can no longer rely on the dry heat to aid their backs. That's where DISC comes in.

Skydivers survive midair swap stunt in Arizona that ends in plane crash