Channing and his jumping partner had been very active lately, exploring many new options in the local area. That morning they opened an 180ft cliff with a long canopy flight in rolling green hills. In the afternoon, they elected to scout another exit in the same range.
The cliff was 140 ft above a steep talus with a large meadow at the bottom. Channing went first. He chose to static line without a pilot chute for backup. Using a piece of spectra and a rock as an anchor, he rigged one piece of brake-chord to a loop tied in his bridal, and a backup piece of brake-chord to the pc attachment at the end of the bridal. Upon exit, his container was opened, but his canopy was not brought to full line-stretch.
Local search and rescue was contacted immediately, while myself and two other jumpers made our way to the sight. Channing's partner made his way down, and sent us a gps waypoint of their location. All efforts to retrieve him went well, and we had everyone off the mountain within a few hours.
An inspection of his gear shed some light on the events that unfolded. One length of break-cord was strung through a loop tied ~1 ft. from the end of his bridal. No knot was present suggesting that the knot he tied may have slipped free. (note: there was a 30% nick in the break-cord about 1/2 inch from the end.) Tied to the end of his bridal was a second length of break-cord. We believe that he used two shorter pieces tied together to make one length. He then tied that to the spectra anchor, and then again to his bridal. We believe this cord broke right at the edge of the intermediary knot between the anchor and the bridal loop.

The reason the primary static line knot may have slipped free remains a mystery. As to why the secondary static line broke prematurely, several factors may have contributed:
1. The condition of the brake-cord appeared old and degraded.
2. It was reported by his partner that Channing broke his break-cord apart, rather than cutting it. This may have compromised the integrity of the break-cord prior to its use.
3. Both his primary and secondary static line setups were far towards the end of his bridal, potentially causing higher dynamic forces when loaded.
4. The direction of force applied to the cord as it entered the intermediary knot between the spectra and bridal may have reduced the tensile strength of his break-cord.
Although all his lines were removed from the tail-pocket when he came to rest, his canopy was found with the tailgate still intact.
Had Channing used a pilot chute as a last line of defense, he may have survived that day. Incidents like this highlight the importance of using a pilot chute when static lining and sticking to tested and trusted methods of rigging.
It is with great sorrow that I report this. Channing was a good friend and coworker. His smile was infectious and his sense of humor unmatched.