Tragic accident claims photographer at Kansas Airfield
Amanda Gallagher, 37, loved taking unconventional photos. The bigger the challenge, the more attractive the shot seemed to her. Although what happened at the airport in Kansas could have been foreseen, the traveler did not anticipate the danger.
2:02 PM EDT, October 29, 2024
The tragic event occurred at Cook Airfield in Derby, Kansas, on October 26, around 11:00 AM. Amanda Gallagher, an enthusiast of photography and skydiving, was taking photos on the airfield. While searching for the perfect shot, she stepped back and hit the propeller of an operating airplane.
The injuries she sustained were very severe. Medical services arriving at the scene determined that Amanda showed no signs of life. She was immediately transported to the hospital, yet despite the doctors' efforts, she could not be saved. She passed away in the hospital.
She died doing what she loved
According to Air Capital Drop Zone, "photographer Amanda Gallagher was on board the plane on a Saturday afternoon to take photographs of skydivers and then returned to the ground after the divers made their jump"
The plane landed and another group of jumpers boarded, Air Capital Drop Zone reported. According to the Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office and Federal Aviation Administration, the Cessna 182 was grounded but still operational.
"For unknown reasons ... she moved in front of the wing, a violation of basic safety procedures," Air Capital Drop Zone said in a statement. "With her camera up to shoot photos as she did so, she stepped back slightly moving toward and into the spinning propeller."
Amanda's friends organized a fundraiser on the GoFundMe platform to assist the family in covering funeral costs.
In organizing the effort, Abbey Charboneau wrote: "Amanda Gallagher was kind, adventurous, creative and beautiful inside and out. She was a loving daughter, sister, aunt and friend and will be greatly missed." She also appealed for support for the family during this difficult time.
Condolences to family and friends
Cook Airfield expressed condolences on its social media profiles: "Our hearts go out to the family and friends of the young lady who died yesterday after a tragic accident with an airplane propeller on Cook Airfield. I wasn’t there when it happened, so I will not speculate on what could have or should have happened differently."
Airport representatives added: "Just please keep her family, her friends and her Air Capital Drop Zone family in your prayers and thoughts."
The appropriate services are investigating the circumstances of the accident. They are trying to determine, among other things, whether all safety procedures were followed.
