8
BASE seasons
1000
BASE jumps
—
WS BASE jumps
2000
Skydives
—
WS skydives
Incident
- Incident category:
- BASE Fatality
- ID:
- BFL451
- Object:
- Earth
- Cause of death:
- Impact in terminal freefall
- Date:
- 05. 05. 2023
- Time:
- 10:30
- Exit point:
- Spain › Chistau Valley
- Exit type:
- Short Start
Personal
- Name:
- Alex Villar
- Gender:
- Male
- Nationality:
- Spanish
- Age:
- 34
- Experience:
- Intermediate
Equipment & Setup
- Canopy:
- Squirrel › Hayduke
- Canopy size:
- —
- Container:
- —
- Suit:
- Squirrel › Aura 5 ultra light
- Packing:
- Slider Up
- Deployment:
- BOC
Circumstances
- Weather:
- Winds light and variable
- Factors:
- Proximity flying Loss of speed-glide
Description
He arrived to the exit feeling good, nothing unusual. Alex discussed flying around the back of a rock spire, which requieres a good start and good glide to reach. Zero wind at the exit, which faces north-west so it is protected.Normal push, good start. He appeared to be flying very slowly. It's possible that his performance was affected by the south wind. At any time he could abort by flying to the right. He impacted into the trees before reaching the spire. There was no attempt to pull, the container was closed. It seems he died instantly.
What we can learn, the lesson we already know, is that we need to fly with speed and be ready to change the plan. Even very experienced jumpers can sometimes make the mistake of flying without speed.
Alex was an inspiring person to be around, always ready to laugh, generous and big hearted. He will be sorely missed by the Spanish jumping community and others who's heart he has touched.
Gallery