Hyderabad native dies in US skydiving accident

Mani Chandra Teja Gaddam | Photo credit: By arrangement

A 28-year-old software engineer from Hyderabad has died in a skydiving accident in the United States just days after obtaining his skydiving license, with authorities investigating whether a sudden gust of wind caused the fatal fall.

The late Mani Chandra Teja Gaddam worked as a software engineer at Fidelity Investments in Boston since April 2025.

The accident was reported around 4:00 p.m. Sunday at Jumptown Skydiving in Orange, Massachusetts. According to a statement issued by local authorities, Teja fell from a height of about 30 feet after a sudden and unexpected gust of wind interfered with his parachute landing. He was taken to Athol Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

The incident is being investigated by the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit, the Massachusetts State Police Criminal Services Section, the Orange Police Department and the Federal Aviation Administration. The cause and manner of death will be determined by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Teja reportedly obtained an A license from the United States Parachute Association, a certification that allows skydivers to jump without the direct supervision of an instructor after completing the required training and safety standards.

According to his professional profile, Teja completed his master’s degree at Northeastern University in Boston between September 2022 and August 2024. Before moving to the United States, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education (IFHE) in Hyderabad, where he studied from 2015 to 2019. He previously worked as a software developer and backend developer.sta.

The investigation into the circumstances leading to the accident is ongoing.

Jumptown Skydiving said in a statement that it is cooperating fully with authorities conducting a thorough investigation. “We are deeply saddened by the incident that occurred at our facility and offer our sincere condolences to the skydivers’ family, friends and loved ones,” Jumptown Skydiving said in a statement.

A GoFundMe fundraiser has also been started to support Teja’s family for funeral and related expenses. Organizers encouraged supporters to donate or share the campaign.

Published – 14 Jul 2026 23:33 IST