Basejumper.com - archive

There was a fatality here today. I will post details later, when the timing is more appropriate.

Patto, if you want to email me I can give you a summary, but not for release immediately.

The local media has already published his name and the account of what happened.

Damn, always liked that Greece jump he made lookin back at the exit. What a shame.

I have attached an incident report (as .pdf file).

There was a fair amount of local press digging for information this week, but I think that's largely finished now.

Brandon was a very good person, who was well loved by many in our community. Given the circumstances, this is a real tragedy for many, but most of all for his wife.


I have heard several weird rumors about this incident, and I wanted to speak up and deny some specific ones.

1) There was no evidence of gear malfunction (a local TV reporter told me that they'd been told there was).

2) There was no evidence that he was panicking or unstable. In video review he looked stable and in control throughout the jump.

3) He was not on his back. He was belly to earth for the entire jump, and after the other jumper deployed, he was looking down. I do not believe he lost ground awareness at any point.

4) He was aware of the other jumper's safe deployment. He had a good view of the other jumper until around the time she reached line stretch, and was undoubtedly aware that she had a good canopy.


He will be missed.

Does this figure into Denis Pagan´s quote about the 3 "F"´s? Flying for friends, family and fotos being the higher risk of flights? It sounds like it. But even if this is not the case. It is something we should be reminded of for ourselves again andagain?
Take care,
space

Thank you for the report Tom.

BSBD.

He was solid as hell. Sounds like he owns this one. Great guy - will be missed.

Thanks Tom.