What we know
What we know: US airman who died after rappel fall at a college football game in Texas is identified
Compiled Oct 19
What we know
- U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Ian Patterson died after a rapid fall while rappelling from the rafters of the Alamodome in San Antonio
- Patterson was taken to a hospital after Saturday's fall and later died
- He was a 15-year service member from Fort Stewart, Georgia
- Patterson was a Tactical Air Control Party instructor assigned to the 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2
- The fall occurred before Navy's game against University of Texas at San Antonio during the 'Salute to Armed Forces and Veterans' game
- Officials delayed the start of the game for about 10 minutes following the fall
What we don’t know yet
- The military says an investigation is underway
- The sister of Patterson's wife declined to comment
- UTSA coach Jeff Traylor said he had only been told there had been an 'incident' that would delay kickoff
Open questions
- What caused the rappelling equipment or technique failure that led to the fall?
- What will the military investigation reveal about safety protocols for the demonstration?
- How are the other three service members involved in the demonstration doing?
- Will changes be made to future pregame rappelling demonstrations?
Drawn from the Associated Press report. “What we don’t know” lists only what the reporting itself flags as unresolved.