Kirk Hawkins, co-founder of ICON Aircraft and former U.S. Air Force F-16 pilot, died August 19, 2025, during a wingsuit accident in the Swiss Alps. The 58-year-old jumped from a helicopter with three other wingsuit divers near the 13,000-foot peak of the Eiger before colliding with trees and crashing to the ground.
Local police confirmed the accident occurred just west of Schüssellouwinegraben as Hawkins and his companions glided along the east ridge of the iconic Eiger mountain. Swiss authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.
Steen Strand, who co-founded ICON Aircraft with Hawkins in 2006, announced his longtime friend’s death in an emotional LinkedIn post. Strand described Hawkins as “the most extraordinary person I’ve ever known, or ever will know.” He indicated that Hawkins started life with nothing and climbed to the top through education at Clemson University, Stanford University, service in the Air Force flying F-16s, and completing business school at Stanford.
Hawkins and Strand established ICON Aircraft to develop the amphibious A5 light sport aircraft, which became available for purchase with a price tag of approximately $389,000. The seaplane was viewed as an innovative model when it launched, incorporating Hawkins’ master’s degrees in engineering and business from Stanford University.
The company gained attention when Hawkins appeared at EAA AirVenture in 2008 to announce their ambitious seaplane development project. However, the aircraft later became involved in several accidents that raised safety questions, despite investigators attributing the incidents to pilot error rather than mechanical failures.
A significant setback occurred in 2017 when former Major League Baseball player Roy “Doc” Halladay died in a crash while piloting an ICON A5 in the Gulf of Mexico near Florida. The 40-year-old former Toronto Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies pitcher’s death brought intense scrutiny to the aircraft and the company.
Hawkins remained as CEO for another year following Halladay’s fatal accident but departed the company in November 2018 when he was forced out. The company is now owned by the ShangGong Group, a Shanghai-based Chinese corporation that also recently acquired Flight Design.
In his tribute, Strand noted that Hawkins had recently become more philosophical and emotional, constantly working to evolve into a better version of himself. He emphasized that Hawkins was exceptionally skilled at assessing risks, likely because he took so many throughout his adventurous life.
Strand reflected on their working relationship, describing their “constructive conflict” as something that would terrify any human resources leader today. Despite the challenges, he chose to work alongside Hawkins for over a decade because the partnership was worthwhile. He praised Hawkins’ sense of humor, noting his equal parts Southern metaphors and fighter pilot bravado.
The business partner indicated that Hawkins devoured life experiences most people would never attempt and was the type of person you wanted beside you when situations became difficult. He imagined that in his final moments, Hawkins likely knew what was coming and maintained his characteristic sense of humor.
Following his departure from ICON Aircraft, Hawkins had reportedly started a new venture that was positioned to transform industries once again. Sources indicated he continued pursuing thrilling activities and maintained his reputation as someone who lived life to the fullest.
The wingsuit accident represents the end of a remarkable career that spanned military service, aerospace innovation, and entrepreneurship. Hawkins had built a reputation in aviation circles as both a skilled pilot and visionary businessman who pushed boundaries in recreational aircraft development.
Strand concluded his tribute by expressing that while Hawkins went out doing something thrilling that he loved, he wished it had happened 30 years later. The aviation community has lost a figure known for combining technical expertise with an appetite for adventure and risk-taking.
The Swiss Alps accident investigation continues as authorities work to determine the specific factors that led to the collision with trees during what appeared to be a routine wingsuit jump from helicopter insertion near one of Switzerland’s most famous peaks.
