The Tragic Skydiving Death of Ivan Lester McGuire
In 1988, experienced skydiver Ivan Lester McGuire died in a tragic accident during a jump in North Carolina. Despite having over 800 jumps, McGuire boarded the plane without a parachute while filming a student’s skydive. He only realized his mistake mid-air, and his final words — “Oh my God, no” — were caught on camera before he fell to his death.
Investigators ruled it an accident, likely caused by fatigue or confusion from carrying heavy camera gear. The case remains a powerful reminder of the importance of strict safety checks in skydiving.
