Ian Patterson

Tech Sgt. Ian Patterson, a tactical air control party instructor assigned to the sixth combat training squadron at Joint Base San Antonio, tragically died after a rappelling incident at the Alamodome in Texas. The accident occurred on Saturday during a pre-game ceremony for the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) football game against the Naval Academy. Patterson fell from the stadium's rafters, a height of approximately 170 feet, landing on the field midfield. He was a member of the US Air Force and served as an instructor. His death occurred during a planned demonstration, making him newsworthy due to the public nature of the event and the unfortunate accident. The incident has drawn attention to the safety protocols surrounding such aerial demonstrations at public sporting events.