Ritzville Washington: Randy Hubbs, a Kennewick-area man, has died after a tragic midair collision during a group skydive at West Plains Skydiving.
The incident happened on Sunday evening in the 2000 block of East Schoessler Road, just north of Ritzville, where a group jump was taking place under clear conditions.
Authorities say emergency dispatchers received a call around 5:30 p.m. reporting a serious medical situation involving two skydivers who had collided during their descent.
Deputies from the Adams County Sheriff’s Office arrived and confirmed that two jumpers had struck each other in the air, leading to one fatality and one injury.
The man who died was identified as Randy Hubbs. He was known in the Tri-Cities area as a real estate investor and a longtime music educator with deep ties to local schools and community bands.
Officials say the second skydiver, Nicole Klein from the Colville area, survived the impact and was taken to a hospital. Her injuries were reported as not life-threatening.
Investigators believe Hubbs became unable to control his parachute after the collision. He drifted away from the designated landing zone before disappearing beyond a nearby hill.
West Plains Skydiving staff tracked his descent, but he could not be recovered in time. Weather conditions were not seen as a factor, and the investigation is still ongoing.
Hubbs’ life in the region was marked by music and mentorship. He once led school concert, marching, and jazz programs before later moving into real estate work in the Columbia Basin area.
