BFL202 | 3.3.2013

Paul Kupsa

from Austria

Read More

Unknown

BASE SEASONS

Unknown

SKYDIVES

Unknown

WS SKYDIVES

Unknown

BASE JUMPS

Unknown

WS BASE JUMPS
  • Date & Time: 3.3.2013
  • Location: Sputnik, Walenstadt, Switzerland
  • 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: Snow
  • Possible Factors: Gear failure, Proximity flying

What do we believe happened?

Jump was a 2 way off sputnik, the other jumper was flying above Paul, so following information is based on 2nd jumpers eyewittness report and his video footage from the jump:

Paul had a good start and uneventful flight until he reached the entrance of the crack rather high, Paul started diving, and after a sudden jolt he started oscillating sideways for unknown reasons, loosing speed and altitude fast. Oscillation got so strong that it maybe flipped him over once (can not be said for sure based on video). 2nd jumper reported that just before he lost him out of sight it looked like he got stable again.

Search was called off a few days after the accident, it was too dangerous for search parties because of avalanches and falling rocks. The Schattenbachschlucht (this is what the "cracks" name) is very difficult terrain and is described as "Difficult High-level Alpine hike" including mixed-climbing pitches in tourguides. The Schattenbachschlucht is very steep, and also very narrow at the bottom, and opening inside is not an option over flying out with the suit, which leads as to the assumption that canopy was not pulled. On Friday, April 26th Pauls body was found in the Schattenbachschlucht, the body had to be recovered by a team of mountain climbers because it was unreachable by helicopter.

Paul was a very experience basejumper, paragliding pilot, and mountaineer. He was know to be very rigorous when it came to gear and had in-depth knowledge of rigging and aerodynamics.

Contact

Missing something?

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.

Sending...
Your message was sent, thank you!