The Rainbow Bridge border crossing between the U.S. and Canada has been shut down after a car exploded at a checkpoint near Niagara Falls on Wednesday, November 22, 2023. The Canadian Press
On Sunday, officials revealed the identity of the pilot who tragically died in a skydiving flight accident near Niagara Falls. Melanie Georger, 26, from Towanda, New York, was the sole person on board the single-engine Cessna when it crashed on Saturday, according to a statement from the Niagara County Sheriff's Office. Georger was striving to become a commercial pilot, her father shared in a heartfelt Facebook post.
"My beloved daughter, my best friend, and one of the two lights of my life passed away suddenly today," Paul Georger wrote. "Melanie was a pilot, on the cusp of realizing her dream to fly for the airlines. She was doing what she loved, flying for a local skydiving company when her plane crashed."
The skydiving company, Skydive the Falls, has not responded to email or social media inquiries regarding the incident. A person who answered a phone number listed on the company's website hung up when contacted. The company is known for offering scenic flyovers of Niagara Falls before each skydive.
Jeffrey Walker, one of the skydivers on a flight with Georger just before the fatal crash, expressed his sorrow and disbelief over the tragic event. "Why didn't it happen when I was up there? Why didn't it happen when we were all on the plane?" said Walker, a first-time jumper. He described the experience as "surreal" and shared that Georger's youth did not concern him. She personally checked in with him and offered encouraging words about his tandem skydiving partner, boosting his confidence before he jumped.
"I give her props for wanting to do what she was doing," he said. "I really feel bad for the business and the company she was working for because they're a great company. I thought they did a great job training."
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) identified the aircraft as a single-engine Cessna 208B. It crashed near a road in Youngstown, less than 15 miles from Niagara Falls. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation into the crash.
The loss of Melanie Georger has left a deep impact on her family, friends, and the skydiving community. Her passion for flying and her dedication to achieving her dream of becoming a commercial pilot were evident to those who knew her. As the investigation continues, the memory of her enthusiasm and love for flying remains a poignant reminder of the risks and rewards of pursuing one's dreams.
