---
title: "Army Special Forces soldier dies in ‘freak accident’ during off-duty skydive"
description: "Sgt. 1st Class Justin Lowell Goff, 29, died in what the Charlotte Observer characterized as a \"freak accident\" during a recreational skydiving trip at Cape Fear Regional Jetport, according to the Oak Island Police Department"
date: "2019-04-24"
modified: "2019-04-24"
authors:
  - name: "Haley Britzky"
    job_title: "Former Army Reporter"
    link: "https://taskandpurpose.com/authors/haley-britzky/"
url: "https://taskandpurpose.com/news/army-free-fall-accident/"
categories:
  - "Army"
  - "Around the World"
  - "Military Branches"
  - "News"
  - "United States"
tags:
  - "Northern Command"
  - "special operations command"
---

# Army Special Forces soldier dies in ‘freak accident’ during off-duty skydive

![](<https://taskandpurpose.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/19416464-1.jpg>)

An Army Special Forces noncommisioned officer was killed on Sunday in an "off-duty civilian free-fall accident" in North Carolina, the Army [announced on Wednesday](<https://www.army.mil/article/220775/usasoc_soldier_dies_in_off_duty_accident?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%253A+soc%252FFFhO+%2528USASOC+News+Service%2529>).

Sgt. 1st Class Justin Lowell Goff, 29, died in what the Charlotte Observer [characterized](<https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article229526529.html>) as a "freak accident" during a recreational skydiving trip at Cape Fear Regional Jetport, according to the Oak Island Police Department.

The owner of of Skydive Coastal Carolina told [North Carolina ABC News affiliate WTVD](<https://abc11.com/fort-bragg-soldier-dies-while-skydiving-at-cape-fear-regional-jetport/5263163/>) that Goff "had full control of the canopy and flew the parachute down to the landing area but for some reason picked up speed around 75 feet and made a hard landing."

The Army is currently investigating the incident in conjunction with civilian authorities.

A member of the 1st Special Warfare Training Group at Fort Bragg, Goff enlisted in the Army in 2000 and deployed twice to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom. [According](<https://www.army.mil/article/220775/usasoc_soldier_dies_in_off_duty_accident?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%253A+soc%252FFFhO+%2528USASOC+News+Service%2529>) to the Army, Goff's military education included Military Free-Fall Parachutist Course and Jumpmaster Course.

He leaves behind a wife and three children.

### SEE ALSO: Army Colonel Dies After Trying To Help A Motorist Change A Tire

## Author
Haley Britzky was the Task & Purpose Army reporter from 2019 to 2022. She previously worked at Axios covering breaking news. She reports on important developments within the service, from new uniforms to new policies; the realities of military life facing soldiers and their families; and broader cultural issues that expand outside of the Army, touching each of the military services.Â

### Author social links  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/haley-britzky-b09022a0/>)  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/halbritz>)