The Air Force service member who died after falling more than 150 feet from the rafters of the Alamodome was performing an ‘inherently dangerous stunt,’ an expert has claimed.
Tech Sergeant Ian Patterson, of the 6th Combat Training Squadron, Detachment two, at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, was identified as the airman who tragically died at the college football game on Saturday, Nellis Air Force Base said.
Patterson abruptly plummeted during a fast-rope demonstration from the rafters before UTSA’s game against Navy.
He was treated on the field for around 10 minutes before being carted off and rushed to the hospital, where he later died, according to a statement from Nellis Air Force Base Public Affairs. The incident remains under investigation.
But an expert in aviation tactics has claimed that even after following every safety measure possible, the risk associated with such a stunt is still incredibly high.
‘There’s always a risk associated with it, no matter how skilled or well trained we are, we have to be so careful, and even then, something could still happen,’ Jeremy Smith, 49, lead aviation tactics instructor for Airborne Tactical Training Solutions in Miami, told The New York Post.
Video captured by San Antonio resident James Larken Smith showed the Sargent Ian Patterson mid plunge before hitting the ground
‘With rappelling, you’re using a device that’s attached to you to control your descent.
‘I’m not sure what they were using in particular but there are a lot of safety devices out there with multiple backup systems to make sure the rope remains attached to where it needs to be attached.
‘It’s inherently dangerous – rappelling or fast roping or any of these things. There’s always a risk associated with it, no matter how skilled or well trained we are, we have to be so careful, and even then, something could still happen.’
News of the Patterson’s death was first reported by Task and Purpose, an online publication that focuses on military affairs. The deceased Airman was assigned to the 6th Combat Training Squadron, a unit that conducts advanced skills training for special warfare Airmen.
A native of Fort Stewart, Georgia, Patterson had served honorably in the Air Force for 15 years, and was assigned to the 6th Combat Training Squadron, a unit that conducts advanced skills training for special warfare Airmen.
During his time in service, he was highly decorated, being awarded the Air and Space Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters, as well as the Army Commendation Medal, Air and Space Achievement Medal and Army Achievement Medal, each with one oak leaf cluster throughout his tenure the Air Force said.
Patterson was also named the Air Force Special Warfare Enlisted Instructor of the Year at the Headquarters Air Force level in 2022.
‘This tragedy is felt deeply across the 57th Wing,’ said US Air Force Brig Gen Scott C Mills, the wing’s commander.
‘Tech Sgt Patterson and his service mattered immensely to our wing, and to the family, friends, and teammates who had the privilege of knowing and serving alongside him. Our team is now focused on standing beside Ian’s family, loved ones, and fellow Airmen as we navigate this profound loss together.’
A military member rappels from the stadium rafters in a previous demonstration
Clips filmed from multiple angles showed the Airman hitting the turf at high speed as thousands of onlookers were left stunned in San Antonio.
Alamodome medics quickly rushed to the fallen Airman’s aid as he lay motionless, his body splayed at the 50 yard line.
‘Everybody was quiet, the band stopped performing. Everybody was dead silent,’ witness Adrian Corey told KSAT.
Adrian’s mother, Siomara, described the unsettling confusion after the accident.
‘There was no updates after that other than asking for prayers, but it did not look good,’ she told KSAT.
A similar stunt was performed without incident before a 2025 game at the Alamodome between Army and UTSA.
Despite the pre-game incident, officials proceeded with kickoff after a 10-minute delay. UTSA went on to beat Navy, 38-34, and afterwards many players took part in a group prayer for the injured Airman.
‘I know we said a prayer postgame, but they’ll continue being our thoughts and prayers, and really thinking about them,’ Roadrunners quarterback Owen McCown told reporters.
The American Conference, which includes both Navy and UTSA, decided to proceed with the game before it was revealed that Patterson had died, according to a Sunday statement.
The ceiling at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas is 180ft above the field
‘During the game, representatives of both participating member institutions, Alamodome management and local authorities met with American Conference Commissioner Tim Pernetti and a working group to review the information available and discuss next steps,’ read the conference statement. ‘At the time of those discussions, Nellis Air Force Base Public Affairs had not publicly confirmed the service member’s condition.
‘Air Force casualty notification and information-release procedures establish safeguards for notifying families and publicly releasing casualty information. In accordance with conference bylaws and with the support of both participating member institutions, the conference made the decision to continue the game.
‘Respect for the family’s privacy and adherence to the military’s notification process guided the decision to mitigate speculation about the service member’s medical status and avoid additional distress for his family.
‘Later, at 11:40pm Eastern time, Nellis Air Force Base Public Affairs confirmed that the service member had been injured during the pregame demonstration and transported to a local hospital, where he later died. We are grateful to the first responders and emergency personnel who provided immediate care on the field. Our hearts and prayers are with everyone impacted by this tragedy.’
After the game, UTSA coach Jeff Traylor described the situation he faced in the locker room as his anxious team looked to take the field.
‘The only information I had was there had been an incident, and the game was going to be delayed, and we didn’t expand upon it any further than that,’ Traylor said, as quoted by the Express-News. ‘I didn’t know if I did the right thing or not. I didn’t know anything. I didn’t know what to tell them, so that’s how I handled it.
‘What I heard that happened is heartbreaking, but I want to give the family time,’ Traylor added. ‘They’re in our prayers. It’s tragic.’
