A United States Air Force serviceman has died after falling about 150 feet from the rafters of the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, during a pre-game rappelling demonstration.
The incident happened on Saturday, October 17, 2026, before the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) Roadrunners played the United States Naval Academy.
The game formed part of UTSA’s annual Salute to Armed Forces and Veterans event, which was intended to honour members of the United States armed forces and military veterans.
The serviceman was one of four military personnel due to descend from the stadium ceiling to the field using ropes. According to military news outlet Task & Purpose, he appeared to lose control halfway through the descent and slid down the rope before hitting the ground.
Emergency personnel treated him at the scene before he was taken to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries. The Air Force later confirmed that he had died.
The serviceman’s identity has not been released. He was assigned to the 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment 2, a unit responsible for training Tactical Air Control Party personnel who coordinate air support for ground forces.
The accident shocked spectators inside the stadium and briefly delayed the game.
Adrian Corey, who witnessed the incident, told local television station KSAT that the atmosphere changed immediately after the fall.
“Everybody was quiet; the band stopped performing. Everybody was dead silent,” he said.
The match resumed after the delay, with UTSA eventually beating Navy 38-34.
