MIDDLE TENNESSEE — The skydiving community is reeling after the tragic death of 35-year-old Justin Fuller, a well-known instructor affectionately nicknamed “Spidey.” Fuller died over the weekend following a skydiving incident that has left both friends and investigators searching for answers.
Authorities say Fuller was performing a tandem jump with a student when the two became separated mid-air — a rare and devastating event. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation to determine what went wrong.
According to reports, the student’s emergency parachute deployed, and he was found safely lodged in a tree off Ashland City Highway before being rescued. Tragically, Fuller fell without a parachute and was later discovered lifeless in a nearby clearing.
At this stage, it remains unclear how the separation occurred, especially considering Fuller’s extensive experience. Tandem skydives are designed with multiple safety redundancies, and such incidents are almost unheard of in the sport.
“This just doesn’t happen,” one fellow instructor said. “Justin was one of the best. Everyone who knew him is devastated.”
Fuller was no stranger to danger — in fact, he had survived a plane crash earlier this summer while working with Skydive Tennessee in Tullahoma. In June, he shared his gratitude on social media after escaping that crash with only a bruised heel. At the time, all 20 people on board walked away alive.
His resilience, humor, and passion for the sky made him a respected and beloved figure in the skydiving community. Friends described him as “fearless,” “funny,” and “the kind of person who made everyone around him feel calm even in the wildest situations.”
The FAA will continue to investigate the equipment, jump procedure, and conditions surrounding the fatal fall. Skydiving professionals across the region have expressed heartbreak, emphasizing that while the sport carries risks, incidents of this nature are exceedingly rare.
For those who knew him, Justin Fuller’s death is not only a professional loss but a deeply personal one. His memory will live on in the skies he loved so much — and in the countless lives he touched on the ground.
Thoughts and prayers are with Fuller’s family, friends, and the entire skydiving community during this heartbreaking time.