They had traveled to California to make history in the skies. Both were experienced skydivers, and their team was preparing for an ambitious record-breaking formation. The jump began normally, and their parachutes opened as expected. But just 150 feet above the ground, something went terribly wrong. Within seconds, two women were caught in a midair collision that would leave the entire skydiving community devastated.

LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA — Investigators are examining a tragic skydiving accident that claimed the lives of Georgia Jean, 56, and Levi Pimentel, 29, during an organized event at Skydive Elsinore on November 6, 2026.

The two women had traveled from different states to participate in training for a California skydiving record attempt.

Jean was from Box Elder, South Dakota, while Pimentel lived in Aurora, Illinois.

Both were licensed and experienced skydivers.

Authorities confirmed that their parachutes became entangled during the final approach to the landing area.

The accident occurred just minutes after a jump that witnesses described as proceeding normally.

A Record-Breaking Dream Ends in Tragedy

The group had gathered at Skydive Elsinore to practice a challenging formation.

Their goal was to establish a new California record for the largest women’s upright skydiving formation.

In this discipline, participants position their bodies vertically during free fall, appearing almost as though they are sitting in the sky.

Professional skydiver Chazi Rutz, who participated in the training, explained that the group hoped to complete a 19-person formation.

The existing California record involved 12 participants.

During the morning jump, the women successfully entered free fall and practiced holding hands in formation.

According to Rutz, the initial portion of the jump unfolded without problems.

But the danger emerged after the skydivers deployed their parachutes.

What Happened 150 Feet Above the Ground?

Skydive Elsinore released a statement describing the critical moments.

According to the company, both women’s parachutes opened normally.

The free-fall portion of the jump also proceeded as planned.

However, as Jean and Pimentel approached the landing area, they collided approximately 150 feet above the ground.

Their parachutes became entangled.

The collision left them unable to complete a safe landing.

Both women suffered critical injuries when they reached the ground.

Emergency responders arrived at approximately 11:45 a.m.

The skydivers were transported to a nearby hospital, where they were later pronounced deceased.

The company stated that there was no indication of an equipment malfunction.

However, investigators have not yet determined exactly what caused the two skydivers to collide.

Georgia Jean Had Completed More Than 1,700 Jumps

Georgia Jean was far from a beginner.

She discovered skydiving in 2015 and had completed more than 1,700 jumps.

The 56-year-old had developed a strong pᴀssion for the sport and regularly participated in compeтιтive events.

In 2024, she earned a bronze medal at the United States Parachute ᴀssociation National Skydiving Championships as part of a team competing in intermediate mixed formation skydiving.

Outside the sport, Jean had worked as a stand-up comedian and operated a life-coaching business.

Friends and fellow athletes remembered her as adventurous, kind and enthusiastic.

For Jean, skydiving had become much more than a hobby.

It was a community and a pursuit she had dedicated years to mastering.

Levi Pimentel Was an Instructor With Big Ambitions

Levi Pimentel was only 29, but she had already built an impressive skydiving career.

She worked as a lead instructor at iFLY Indoor Skydiving in Naperville, Illinois.

Pimentel began skydiving on her 18th birthday and had completed more than 600 jumps.

She also participated in compeтιтive formation skydiving.

In 2022, she helped establish a women’s head-down skydiving world record.

At the time of the Lake Elsinore tragedy, she was preparing for another international record attempt scheduled for later in November.

That event was expected to involve 40 women representing 12 countries.

Her pᴀssing has left fellow instructors and athletes mourning a talented young woman whose sporting ambitions were still growing.

Why Are Investigators Examining the Parachutes?

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the investigation remains active.

The Federal Aviation Administration has also been notified and is expected to collect the parachutes for examination.

Investigators will seek to understand the circumstances surrounding the collision.

One important question is how two experienced skydivers came so close to each other during their final descent.

Another concerns the sequence of events after their parachutes became entangled.

The fact that both parachutes initially deployed normally is significant.

But it does not explain whether the collision involved positioning, visibility, timing or another contributing factor.

No official finding has established that either skydiver made an error or was responsible for the accident.

A Heartbreaking Loss for the Skydiving Community

Professional skydiver Chazi Rutz described the emotional impact of losing two women who had traveled to California to pursue a shared goal.

The group had been brought together by a love of skydiving and the ambition to achieve something extraordinary.

Instead, the event ended in tragedy.

The loss has affected athletes, instructors and friends across the United States.

Both women had spent years developing their skills.

They understood the sport’s demands and had accumulated considerable experience.

Their pᴀssing serves as a reminder that even experienced participants can encounter unexpected dangers.

What Happens Next?

Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the November 6 accident.

Skydive Elsinore has expressed condolences to the women’s families and pledged cooperation with investigators.

The FAA’s examination of the parachutes may help establish additional details.

However, no final accident report or determination of responsibility has been publicly announced.

For the families of Georgia Jean and Levi Pimentel, the technical questions are only one part of an overwhelming loss.

Both women had traveled to California with excitement, ambition and the hope of making history.

Neither returned home.

Two experienced athletes. One ambitious record attempt. A collision just 150 feet above the ground. And a skydiving community now mourning two lives lost during a sport they loved.

The investigation may eventually explain the final moments of their descent.

But for their loved ones, Georgia and Levi will be remembered for much more than the accident.

They will be remembered for their courage, their pᴀssion and the extraordinary lives they lived beyond the skies.

Sources

Los Angeles Times — November 6, 2026

Two skydivers lose their lives while training for a record-breaking formation