TF incident report - upcoming

[d-dog]

I've been asked by several folks to give a technical summary of the fatality at TF so others can learn from this, and even accused (in a respectful way) by a few folks of holding back info that could help others be more safe.

For the record, there is an official technical investigation going on right now and when the results of that investigation are complete, I am sure a qualified individual will post them for everyone to review. I am not that person - I was on the load, but I am far from the most experienced either as a jumper or as an incident investigator. I was just in the right/wrong place at the right/wrong time to be the person who witnessed Brian's fatality from the closest/most clear perspective.

In the meantime, there are many rumors going around about the incident - some of which have a kernel of truth, most of which are flat-out wrong. Take them with a whole shaker full of salt until the official results are released. Some are harmless, but others could actually cause jumpers to make dangerous decisions if one were to act on them.

What is know and publicly stated (and correct) is as follows: Brian exited stable, he deployed a BOC pilot chute less than 2 seconds after exit. His pilot chute did not inflate until just before impact, too late to extract his canopy. He died as a result of his injuries. That is all known, and all uncontrovertial.

Beyond that, please wait before passing judgment or making assumptions. If this causes you to experience gear fear, good! Think about your gear, don't take it for granted ever. That's good advice irrespective of what caused this sad incident.

I am sorry to sound like a tease, but I am torn by my desire (shared by everyone) to share facts that can help us all jump safer, and my understanding that sharing "facts" that aren't confirmed yet (or are out of context) could (and would) create more confusion and misunderstanding than it would ever clear up.

In the meantime, be safe.

Peace,

D-d0g
ddog@wrinko.com
www.wrinko.com

[guest]

Where is aforementioned incident report? There is not that much evidence to sift through that it should take two weeks to compile it and publish it. If those involved haven't been able to establish a cause, so be it, but publish the facts of the matter, anyway.

[d-dog]

Gosh, you sure know alot about the "evidence!" Care to share what that list of evidence is, since you apparently know enough to establish how long the investigation should take? Perhaps we should just appoint you, Mr. Anonymous, to tell us what happened since you probably already know anyway?

Take that chip off your shoulder and shove it up your ass.

D-d0g

[guest]

the lady doth protest too much...

[guest]

damn

there are some idiots that post on this site. I am beginning to believe that most BASE jumpers are assholes.

be patient, i am sure there is no conspiracy that will keep the truth from us regarding this incident.

however, we may need to be ready for the fact that there may be NO good explanation for what happened. I have seen properly constructed and used PC.s malfunction in skydiving before. It is one of those sh!t happens scenarios that are an annoyance in skydiving, but are sure death in BASE.

[i am making the assumption here that it was in fact a PC mal, and that there wasn't some other underlying factor that has or will come to light]

you have to accept that with a single parachute system, you are rolling the dice every jump. It all depends on the P.C.

[gowaylow]

Your decision to hold off is a good one. I have been down this road more that once and you will find that the picture is NEVER clear until all of the evidence has been analyzed. Even then the final report is still speculation but it is speculation with sound evidence behind it. We may never know what REALLY happened but we can try to use this tragedy to protect future friends from the same fate. I feel sorry that my friends have to deal with this investigation.

have go way low day

[guest]

Any update?

[d-dog]

>Any update?

Dwain refers to the report status, and reasons for delay, in his detailed post below:

http://www.blincmagazine.com/forum/board/3932.html

Peace,

D-d0g
ddog@wrinko.com
www.wrinko.com

[guest]

>I am beginning to believe that most BASE >jumpers are assholes.

Well, thats part of the situation. The reason stems from the fact that most Skydivers are assholes nowdays, and that comes directly from the fact that most [like, 98% to 99.5%] of all people are assholes with no character or scruples.

>you have to accept that with a single parachute
>system, you are rolling the dice every jump. It
>all depends on the P.C.

A long time ago in the skydiving environment whenever I heard someone say, "Hey I am almost finished packing, hold the load -- ALL I have left is the pilot chute." I would remind them, "Remember,The last thing you pack is the FIRST thing you need to work right." It is even more important in BASE.

:9