A sudden gust of wind in Massachusetts interfered with the parachute of a 28‑year‑old Hyderabad‑born software engineer, causing a fatal fall from about 30 feet. Authorities from multiple agencies are conducting a thorough investigation into the incident.

Key Takeaways

  • Hyderabad‑born 28‑year‑old software engineer dies in a skydiving accident
  • Sudden wind gust in Massachusetts disrupted his parachute during landing
  • Investigation involves state police, FAA and medical examiner

Mani Chandra Teja Gaddam, a 28‑year‑old software engineer employed at Fidelity Investments in Boston since April 2025, was killed Sunday at Jumptown Skydiving in Orange, Massachusetts.

Incident Details

Local authorities reported that at approximately 4 p.m. a sudden, unexpected gust of wind struck the skydiver as he attempted to land, causing his parachute to collapse. He fell from roughly 30 feet, struck the ground in the landing zone, and was rushed to Athol Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Parachuting Licence

Teja had recently earned an “A Licence” from the United States Parachute Association (USPA), a certification that permits jumpers to operate without direct instructor supervision after completing required training and safety standards. The licence indicates compliance with rigorous safety protocols, raising questions about the role of abrupt weather changes.

Education and Career

He completed a Master of Science in Computer Science at Northeastern University, Boston (Sept 2022 – Aug 2024) and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education (IFHE), Hyderabad (2015‑2019). His professional experience spanned software development, backend support engineering, and full‑stack blockchain development.

Ongoing Investigation

The incident is under investigation by the Massachusetts State Police Detective Unit, the State Police Crime Scene Services Section, the Orange Police Department and the Federal Aviation Administration. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine the cause and manner of death.

Response from Jumptown Skydiving

The skydiving centre released a statement expressing deep sorrow, confirming full cooperation with investigators, and offering condolences to Teja’s family, friends and loved ones.

Community Support

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to assist the family with funeral and related expenses, urging well‑wishers to contribute. The tragedy highlights the need for heightened safety scrutiny in adventure sports, especially for expatriates pursuing high‑risk hobbies abroad.