Skydiving is often touted as an exhilarating experience, offering a sense of freedom and adrenaline like no other. But for Makenzie Wethington, a routine skydiving adventure on her 16th birthday turned into a nightmare, leading to a traumatic fall from 3,000 feet, severe injuries, and a legal battle that would change her life forever.

The Dream of Skydiving

For many, the idea of skydiving represents a thrilling goal to check off their bucket list. For Makenzie, who had dreamed of jumping out of a plane since she was a child, that dream was finally about to come true. After years of convincing her parents, they agreed to let her go skydiving to celebrate her sweet sixteen. Little did anyone know that what was supposed to be a milestone event would soon become one of the most terrifying and dangerous experiences of her life.

On January 25, 2014, Makenzie took her first skydiving jump at the Pegasus Air Sports Center in Chickasha, Oklahoma. The adrenaline and excitement were palpable as she and her instructor ascended to 3,000 feet above the ground, ready for the thrill of freefall.

Makenzie Wethington plummeted 3,000 feet and survived (**CBS**)

The Nightmare Begins

What should have been a breath taking experience quickly descended into a life-or-death struggle. After jumping from the plane, Makenzie noticed immediately that something was terribly wrong. Her parachute, which was supposed to gently slow her descent, failed to deploy properly. Instead of opening fully, the parachute lines became twisted, which caused Makenzie to spiral uncontrollably toward the earth below.

In a shocking simulation created by Zack D Films, viewers can see how this tragic event unfolded. The simulation shows the moment the parachute partially opened, only to fail in its crucial function. Makenzie, fighting against the wind and gravity, struggled to untangle the parachute lines, but the force of the descent was too powerful for her to manage alone.

“I remember jumping out of the plane and looking up, seeing that there was a complication with the parachute,” Makenzie recounted in an interview. “I started kicking my feet like I was taught in class, and I looked up and still saw nothing was fixing. I tried pulling the toggles apart, but I wasn’t strong enough to fight off the wind.”

At that moment, panic set in. Makenzie realized that her chances of survival were dwindling by the second.

“I just remember screaming and then I blacked out. I don’t remember anything after that…for three days after,” she shared, recalling the terrifying experience.

Social Media Reactions and Makenzie’s Journey

Makenzie Wethington’s story has inspired people worldwide, particularly on social media, where users have shared their thoughts on her miraculous survival and ongoing journey. As people learn about her ordeal, they have praised her resilience and determination to move forward despite the physical and emotional scars from the accident.

Here’s a collection of social media posts and reactions that highlight the impact of her story:

Instagram Post by Makenzie Wethington (@makenzie_w_16)
“Some days are harder than others, but I thank God every day for this second chance at life. Grateful for the amazing support I’ve received through my journey. This is only the beginning. 💙 #SecondChances #SkydivingSurvivor #Resilience #NeverGiveUp”
Follow Makenzie’s Instagram journey here

Twitter Post by @SkydivingForLife
“Incredible story of survival from Makenzie Wethington, who fell 3,000 feet after a parachute malfunction but defied all odds. Stay strong, Makenzie! 🙌 #SkydivingSurvivor #Miracle”
Read more about Makenzie’s story on Twitter

Facebook Post by Sam Houston State University
“We are proud to announce that our Outstanding Graduate and Doctoral Student Award recipient, Makenzie Wethington, has overcome unimaginable challenges to pursue her dreams in medicine. Her determination continues to inspire us all. 💚 #BearkatPride #Inspiration #RecoveryJourney”
Check out the full post from Sam Houston State University here

YouTube Video by Zack D Films
“Watch this simulation of Makenzie Wethington’s harrowing 3,000-foot fall after her parachute failed to deploy correctly. Her survival is a testament to strength and hope.”
Watch the video on YouTube here

Surviving Against All Odds

Against all odds, Makenzie survived the fall. However, she sustained severe injuries from the high-impact crash. Her body absorbed the brutal force of the fall, leaving her with multiple fractures, including broken bones in her back, ribs, clavicle, and pelvis. She also suffered internal bleeding, organ damage, and even a broken tooth. In addition, the trauma left her with brain bleeds, which required immediate medical attention.

While she was fortunate to have survived, Makenzie’s life was changed forever.

The Legal Battle

What followed was a prolonged and intense legal battle. Makenzie filed a lawsuit against the Pegasus Air Sports Center and its owner, Robert Swainson, seeking justice for the negligence that led to her injuries. In the case, the critical question became: what went wrong?

Swainson claimed that a parachute malfunction like Makenzie’s, where the lines become twisted, wasn’t all that uncommon. He argued that Makenzie had been adequately trained on how to handle such situations, stating that the real reason for the accident was her inability to remain calm under pressure.

“I have been convinced that the reason for her accident was that she did not follow all of the instruction that she received by myself prior to the jump,” Swainson wrote in a 2015 court document. “I believe that she panicked when things did not go exactly as expected and did nothing to correct it.”

However, the court disagreed with Swainson’s defense. A judge ruled in Makenzie’s favor, acknowledging that she had not received proper training for a scenario like the one she faced. In addition, the judge found that Makenzie had been supplied with a parachute that was too small and too fast for someone with her level of experience. The judge awarded her $760,000 in damages.

Wethington completed the jump with her dad (**WFAA**)

The Aftermath: Recovery and Moving Forward

While the legal victory was a crucial moment in Makenzie’s recovery, the physical and emotional scars from the accident remained. Five months after the fall, Makenzie was able to walk again without assistance, though the trauma continued to haunt her in other ways.

She still struggled with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), suffering from panic attacks, nightmares, and short-term memory loss. She also developed recurring kidney infections, which led to regular hospitalizations, making it clear that the road to recovery would be long and uncertain.

Despite these challenges, Makenzie refused to let the tragedy define her. Over the years, she found strength through her faith and determination to reclaim her life.

In 2020, Makenzie shared an inspiring update on her progress: she had been awarded the Outstanding Graduate and Doctoral Student Award by Sam Houston State University, where she was studying medicine. In a heartfelt post, she thanked God for the second chance at life she had been given.

“Thank you, Jesus, for this amazing second chance at life!!! I am determined to serve others and won’t stop until I’ve made a life He can be proud of. All Glory goes to God.”

Pegasus Air Sports Center Closes

As for Pegasus Air Sports Center, the business has since closed its doors. While owner Robert Swainson claimed the closure was unrelated to the accident, he stated that his decision to shut down the operation was driven by his desire to retire.

Although the tragic skydiving accident ultimately led to the demise of the company, the legal ruling and Makenzie’s recovery were a reminder of the importance of safety in extreme sports. Proper training, the right equipment, and accountability are essential to ensuring that accidents like this one never happen again.

Conclusion: The Resilience of Makenzie Wethington

Makenzie Wethington’s story is one of sheer resilience in the face of unimaginable hardship. Though her body was broken and her mental health was deeply affected, she refused to let the fall define her future. Through her recovery, both physical and emotional, Makenzie has emerged as a symbol of courage. She is now pursuing a career in medicine, determined to help others who find themselves in life-threatening situations, just as she once was.

Featured Image Credit: Zack D Films