US Army skydiving team member dies in training accident after ‘hard landing’

U.S. Army parachutist team

A member of the U.S. Army skydiving team died Monday after sustaining injuries during a training jump at Homestead Air Reserve Base in Homestead, Florida.

According to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, Sgt. 1st Class Michael Ty Kettenhofen was taken to a local trauma center after a “hard landing” during a routine morning jump, ABC affiliate WPLG reports.

Kettenhofen joined the elite parachute team, also known as the Golden Knights, in the fall of 2020, following in the footsteps of two older brothers who are also paratroopers.

According to an Army statement upon his death, Kettenhofen had conducted over 1,000 jumps with the U.S. Army. Per Miami HeraldHe was 37 years old and had received a Purple Heart, a Combat Infantryman Badge and the Army Commendation Medal as an infantryman. He also completed two tours in Iraq and two tours in Afghanistan.

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“The U.S. Army Parachute Team is deeply saddened by the loss of one of our loved ones. “Sgt. 1st Class Ty Kettenhofen was loved, admired and respected by all who knew him for his sense of humor, his zest for life and his accomplishments as a soldier, senior noncommissioned officer and demonstration parachutist,” noted Lt. Col. Andy Moffit, Golden Knights commander Parachute teams, in the statement.

“Our hearts and faith are with his family and friends as we mourn and heal with them. Ty will be honored and remembered as a Golden Knight, soldier and friend.”

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The accident is currently under investigation.