Fri, Aug 22, 2014
A Tandem Jump Goes Bad…Fatally Injuring One And Critically Injuring Another, And 3 BASE Jumpers Perish In The French Alps
Tandem skydiving has proved to be a safe sport and a good way to try out the sport of skydiving under expert supervision. However, things can go wrong. Wingsuit BASE jumping is an extreme sport with inherent risks. Within the last week, this sport has taken the lives of 3 BASE jumpers.
The Riverhead News Review reported that a tandem skydiving fatality occurred on July 30 at the Skydive Long Island facility. It is reported that the United States Parachute Association investigation led to the belief that the accident was caused by sudden changes in the wind near the ground that collapsed the parachute.
The FAA is investigating this accident but there was an unusual occurrence during the investigation. It’s reported that the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) also showed up to conduct an investigation resulting in legal wrangling as to who actually had the authority to conduct the investigation.
The dispute was resolved when OSHA withdrew its investigation by agreeing that the FAA had the jurisdiction, according to reports.
BASE jumping while wearing a wingsuit has become a popular extreme sport and has provided some spectacular video recordings of feats that seem almost impossible. Despite the fact that many of the videos give the appearance of a gliding-like descent, the actual rate of descent is extremely high making this a sport that is terribly unforgiving of errors.
BlueSkiesMag.com reported that 2 BASE jumpers died in France and 1 perished in Italy. One of the fatalities in France occurred after jumping Brevent near Chamonix, and the other fatality occurred after jumping from Mont Granier. The report made it clear that one of these BASE jumpers was wearing a wingsuit but was not clear about whether the 2nd French fatality was also wingsuit equipped. These fatalities occurred on August 16 and 17 and are being investigated by French authorities.
Another wingsuit equipped BASE jumper died on August 16 after a jump from Brento, Italy. This accident is also under investigation.
(Image from file)
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