Navy SEAL dies in skydiving accident

KGMB 9 reported that Navy SEAL, Kenneth Richard Owen died in a skydiving accident in Mokuleia today. 

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http://www.khon2.com/content/news/developingstories/story/Skydiver-Killed-After-Parachutes-Fail-to-Open/dwushNJH50KI03Y_KW_f9A.cspx

Skydiver Killed After Parachutes Fail to Open

Reported by: Brianne Randle

Email: brandle@khon2.com

Last Update: 4:46 pm

A 27-year-old off duty Navy seal was killed this afternoon while sky diving at Dillingham Airfield.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration, both of the man’s main and reserve parachutes failed to open.

Friends have identified the skydiver as Kenneth Owens.

He was on his third jump of the day when his parachute malfunctioned.

Around 12:30 p.m., Owens was jumping with three other people from about 13.000 feet.

Witnesses saw him struggling with the chute just before he crashed into a pond near the airfield.

He was pulled from the water and taken to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.

“Parachute was unopened and dangling below, spiraling thought for sure it was someone attached to it,” explained witness, Jill Buss.

“He did have good knowledge about skydiving, he packed his own chute and he was certified to jump by himself,” said Frank Hinshaw, president of Skydive Hawaii.

Friends at Skydive Hawaii say Owens was a sport jumper and had about 88 jumps under his belt prior to this jump.

The FAA was on scene investigating the fatal accident.

Skydive Hawaii has canceled all their operations for the day.

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http://www.starbulletin.com/news/breaking/64052052.html

Sky diver dies after his parachute malfunctions

By Star-Bulletin staff

POSTED: 02:17 p.m. HST, Oct 12, 2009

A skydiver died after his parachute malfunctioned during a jump from an airplane over the North shore about noon today, according to city Emergency Services Department spokesman Bryan Cheplic.

Cheplic said the man landed in Dillingham Ranch.

Cheplic said the man was taken to Wahiawa General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The man is a Navy diver in his mid-to late 20s, according to Fire Capt. Earle Kealoha.

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