BFL138 | 9.9.2009

Leroy Buckley

from United States of America

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Unknown

BASE SEASONS

Unknown

SKYDIVES

Unknown

WS SKYDIVES

Unknown

BASE JUMPS

Unknown

WS BASE JUMPS
  • Date & Time: 9.9.2009
  • Location: Notch Peak, Utah, United States of America
  • Category: BASE Fatality
  • Object Type: Earth
  • Cause Of Death: Impact in terminal freefall
  • Clothing - Suit: Unknown - Unspecified WSUnknown Wingsuit by Unspecified
  • Canopy: Unknown
  • Container: Unknown
  • Packing & Setup: Slider Up BOC Vertical
  • Weather: Hot with thermals producing, Medium winds, Sunny
  • Possible Factors: Crosswinds on exit, Loss of speed-glide, Not enough forward seperation on exit, Proximity flying, Unstable exit

What do we believe happened?

Leroy was on a trip to make his first wingsuit-BASE jump at notch peak with one friend. Upon checking with the locals to join the load they were told it's too hot (temperature not bust factor) to go at that point in the year and they recommend not going at all. The two decided to go anyway. Instead of taking a marked trail, Leroy decided (against his friend's better judgement) that they should blaze their own trail as it looked to be shorter to just follow his GPS straight up. After feeling lost for quite some time Leroy's friend decided to stop and turn back. Leroy did not agree and marched away. Leroy did eventually make it to the top. There are three exit points on Notch and the South wall is the only exit point with enough altitude to the talus not to be considered a technical wingsuit jump. The North wall is positive, and the West wall is only 600ft to the talus. Unfortunately, the South exit is not obvious to find and Leroy ended up deciding to jump the West wall. His body was found after many days of searching with clear indications of high speed impact on the talus. This exit point is a technical wingsuit jump and not suited in the least for a first wingsuit-BASE jump. Leroy visited with me just two days before making this final jump and I can say I always found him pleasant to be around. Nonetheless, he made a series of poor decisions that led up to this unfortunate event.

Contact

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