BFL175 | 9.9.2011

Fabrice Rieu

from French Guiana

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2

BASE SEASONS

Unknown

SKYDIVES

Unknown

WS SKYDIVES

150

BASE JUMPS

50

WS BASE JUMPS
  • Date & Time: 9.9.2011
  • Location: Pillar - Aiguille Grise, Varan, France
  • 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 Short Start
  • Weather: Sunny
  • Possible Factors: Clipped ledge after exiting

What do we believe happened?

Fabrice had 150 base jumps (mostly earth), 50 wingsuit base jumps (25 prodigy + 25 Firebird , Phantom). Started Base in 2009.

"we decided to go to Varan arrow to jump this big wingsuit flight. Weather report was great, sunny and no wind. We wanted to do it the days before but it was too windy in altitude (exit is around 2500m). It was his 8th jump of the week. We arrived around 10:30am at the exit, perfect conditions, no wind.

We found the exit as described in the topography map as it had a canne in place.

Fabrice saw a pillar on the very far right side of the exit and decided to go and see. He told me "I am going to see and come back if not good".
I stayed on the normal exit, with a very bad feeling inside. We have done some more technical jumps, and this one was normal ok for us. When he arrived at the top of the pillar he said to me it was good and he was going to get prepared. I will prefer to go down but I prepared to jump as well (I was flying Xbird).

Fabrice went first as he liked to jump first. I saw the beginning of his jump, normal without problem. He passed behind the corner of the wall, and I heard a big noise (as canopy opening) then a second very loud noise..

He was found by rescue paramedics 15 mins later lying down on a ledge as in flying position, canopy over him, lines out of tailpocket . Impacted ledge on line stretch...

 

It is a big loss for all of us but mainly for his wife Michèle and his family.

Jérôme


Update: The rock drop in Varan is 7", and 200m rock drop is severe technical, non adapt and dangerous for beginners Fabrice walked to the pillar few mins away from the classic exit and jumped.

Please if anyone can learn from this fatality it is to jump within your limits...

Dont push so fast to be jumping technical sites, take the time to understand everything before progressing to the next exit/wingsuit/jump or even object..

Contact

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Can you help us with incident interpretation? We are interested in any details regarding personal experience, gear, weather conditions and any other circumstances related to the incident.

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