BFL139 | 31.10.2009

Jimmy Freeman

from Australia

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Unknown

BASE SEASONS

Unknown

SKYDIVES

Unknown

WS SKYDIVES

Unknown

BASE JUMPS

Unknown

WS BASE JUMPS
  • Date & Time: 31.10.2009
  • Location: Grand Canyon, Blue Mountains, Australia
  • 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, Winds light and variable
  • Possible Factors: Extracted Pilot Chute too late, Loss of speed-glide, Proximity flying

What do we believe happened?

This was Jimmy's 3rd attempt at a very technical wingsuit jump in Australia. Most jumpers would not even call it a wingsuit jump. He had just returned from a trip overseas and felt current enough to attempt the jump again. It is roughly a 220m (730ft) wall until the talus begins and total height to his planned landing roughly 450m (1500ft). He needed a good exit and extra good flight to make it to over the landing area. He was the first jumper off on the load and had a good exit. According to the others on the load, he did not appear to have much forward speed for the wingsuit he was using and towards the end of the flight he looked like he was flying close to the stall point. He deployed low, maybe 100m short of the planned opening area, and impacted with trees shortly after with his canopy only partially inflated. From the exit point there appeared to be no movement and the decision was made to jump down and see if he needed help. One jumper landed very close and got to him within 10 minutes. He was unable to reach Jimmy as he was high in the tree. There was no movement and no response from him. It is believed Jimmy died on impact from severe spinal damage.

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.

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