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BASE seasons
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BASE jumps
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WS BASE jumps
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Skydives
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WS skydives
Incident
- Incident category:
- BASE Fatality
- ID:
- BFL143
- Object:
- Antenna
- Cause of death:
- Electrocution
- Date:
- 04. 12. 2009
- Time:
- —
- Exit point:
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United States of America › Arizona › Casa Grande
Other incidents at this location: BFL277
- Exit type:
- Vertical
Personal
- Name:
- Darrell Dunafon
- Gender:
- Male
- Nationality:
- American
- Age:
- —
- Experience:
- —
Equipment & Setup
- Canopy:
- —
- Canopy size:
- —
- Container:
- —
- Suit:
- Everyday Clothing worn › Slick
- Packing:
- Slider Down-Off
- Deployment:
- Hand Held
Circumstances
- Weather:
- Winds light and variable
- Factors:
- Crosswinds on exit
Description
Darrell was jumping a 276ft longline antenna near Casa Grande, AZ. He had jumped from this antenna before and knew that the only major hazard was a powerline running to the building at the base of the antenna. This powerline ran N to S from the SE corner of the compound. Darrell exited from the SW corner of the antenna in a light crosswind. He went handheld, taking a one second delay, and opened with a 90 left facing the lines. From our viewpoint, it was impossible to know if he had line twists or if he thought he could fly over the powerlines but approximately 4 seconds after opening, he impacted the lines and grounded out. We ran to him but he was unresponsive and suspended in the lines 10ft above. Emergency crews were immediately called but they were unable to do anything for him. Darrell's accident is a surprise to many who knew him. He was a skilled canopy pilot and active BASE jumper. His excitement for life and his outgoing personality will be missed by his many friends.
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