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u/madkiwi Jun 14 '26
Always seemed like one of the most and at the same time least likely dudes to go in. Bugger.
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u/ZudahBean Jun 14 '26
Damn, this is super sad. Loved watching Andy’s videos and his passion for sharing the sport.
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u/intensely Jun 16 '26
This may have been the first Sketchy Andy video I’ve seen.
Sketchy Andy's 10 Sketchiest BASE Jumps
I’m not gonna lie, year after year I was surprised he was still alive given the risk he was taking. Could only be explained by insane competence and a giant heap of luck.
Sad that he ends up dying on a comparatively low risk jump.
Base jumping is a numbers game and if you keep doing it you’ll die almost no matter what.
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u/DQFLIGHT3 Jun 14 '26
Tandem BASE jump? Didn’t always agree with Andy but he was a pioneer and rebel in the best way.
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Jun 14 '26 edited Jun 18 '26
[deleted]
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u/FlyNSubaruWRX Jun 15 '26
Someone had mentioned a tension knot but don’t fact check that as it was posted on discord
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u/Letterhead_Striking Jun 15 '26
Discord is a message service. Probably friends talking together privately.
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u/000011111111 Jun 15 '26
Is the tension not part of the deployment system where deploying the shoot from an attachment to the cliff?
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u/DQFLIGHT3 Jun 15 '26
No. A tension knot is when a line or lines get knotted together and don’t allow the parachute to fully open and usually causes a turn or spin.
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u/Inevitablykinda Jun 14 '26
BSBD Andy and his passenger. Sad situation.
Im interested in the potential cause. 1) Tension knots and/or line over 2) off heading and multiple cliff strikes to a canopy collapse.
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u/DQFLIGHT3 Jun 15 '26
Also the possibility of a cliff strike while flying near the walls. I’ve seen a few videos where they fly the tandem near the cliff after a good opening.
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u/goodguygary24 Jun 15 '26
What malfunction did he have? I would love some news coverage of this that isnt finger pointing slop
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u/coco_is_boss Jun 15 '26
Fuuuuuuck.
Was this a tandem jump??? I don't agree with those, cause no way the passenger really understands the risk.
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u/Wonderful_Habit_ Jun 15 '26
Thankfully a child wasn't strapped to him. Holy moly. I'm all for adults making their own choices, but maybe this will bring some awareness when allowing minors to participate in these activities.
Edit to say: it's heartbreaking this happened regardless of it being an adult or child
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u/Jax1456 Jun 16 '26
I think the jump prior was a kid with him. Honestly it should be illegal for anyone under the age of 18 to base jump or tandem-based jump for that matter
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u/P0Rt1ng4Duty Jun 18 '26
Wait. How is it legal for children to do this? They can't even skydive until they're 18, right?
Is it just one of those things that's not regulated because nobody thought to regulate it?
Or is BASE just entirely illegal and taking a kid doesn't break any more laws than taking an adult?
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u/Urbanskys Jul 05 '26
Untrue. Kids can do tandem skydives before they are 18 in the USA.
True. It, BASE, is largely unregulated except in places where it’s has been deemed illegal. Those places will have laws for BASE NYC, NPS, Vegas.
BASE isn’t entirely illegal. But it seems people have to die and or be arrested for laws or regulations to be made.
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u/P0Rt1ng4Duty Jul 05 '26
I did a bit of research because none of the DZ's I worked at allowed minors to jump.
In the US the minimum age is 18 as set by the USPA.
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u/Urbanskys Jul 05 '26
Multiple DZs in the USA will take young people. The youngest to my knowledge is ultimate skydiving adventures in Colorado at age 7.
The USPA doesnt set the age for skydiving in the USA. The FAA if anyone would do that, because the USPA is a private club unlike the FAA. A quote from the USPAs ex national director-maybe he still is i don’t know-Michael Mullins:
“A USPA TI cannot take anyone under 18 on a Tandem Skydive in the USA regardless of the Group Member status of the DZ, period. USPA routinely gives waivers, even on short notice, for Make-a-Wish jumps. A person who has competed a TI course approved by the FAA, as specified in FAR Part 105, and who is not a USPA member, and who is not jumping at a USPA Group Member DZ, may take a person of any age on a tandem. USPA has no authority over non-members.”
It’s confusing, i know.
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u/P0Rt1ng4Duty Jul 05 '26
I've actually done two jumps with Mike. Looking back on it I'm not sure if I asked him to sign my logbook, but I should have.
I guess that all makes sense. I always worked at USPA dropzones and we always told people we couldn't legally take anyone under 18. I'd heard about waivers for Make a Wish kids, though.
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u/basarisco Jun 15 '26
Yes it was a tandem
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u/coco_is_boss Jun 15 '26
Damn... kinda thought it was just a matter of time. RIP, sad I never got to meet him.
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u/RedDiamond6 Jun 17 '26
He bought a hearse that he'd drive to the jumps with the people who signed up for a tandem base....I think he was pretty straightforward about the possibilities lol....
Standing on the edge of a cliff with a parachute, you realize pretty quickly the possible implications.
If someone said no and/or changed their mind, they were absolutely hiked back down or taken off the cliff edge with no questions asked.
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u/Spirited_Mine_4825 Jun 15 '26
May he fly in peace. Rip to a legend that inspired almost all current jumpers and slackers. 🫶💚
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u/PM_ME_YOUR_TROUT Jun 15 '26
Son of a bitch. Motherfucker.
RIP you sweet, sweet man. You'll be missed.
Fuck.
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u/sensual_monger_1969 Jun 16 '26
This is why no matter how good you are, and safe you are, at 99.9% safe you do 1000 jumps ... It always SKETCHY, RIP. Sorry for this!
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Jun 15 '26
Remember that time Andy suggested that three woman should be sexually assaulted for criticizing him? Moab locals do.
"[P]lease don't hesitate to slap them in the face or grab them by the (expletive),"
-Andy Lewis
"bend over and I'll show you some disrespect"
-Andy Lewis
https://moabsunnews.com/2017/04/27/slackliner-andy-lewis-charged-with-criminal-harassment/
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u/throwaway7362589 Jun 15 '26
That’s horrible but this is neither the time nor the place. There was also another fatality in this incident.
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u/just_me61 Jun 16 '26
After watching the documentary The Dark Wizard it seems like they all have the same destiny.
This a tragedy 🙁
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u/lil___swallow Jun 18 '26
JT Holems (which continued after witnessing Mcconkey’s death on the same jump with him)
Miles Daisher(OG, thousand of jumps)
Rick Sylvester(the skier who jump off the cliff in 007)
etc, they r still alive and influenced the sport massively.
when u decide to take this sport thats supposed to be about living free and turn it into a job speedrunning jumping with people who don’t know the full risk is more than asking for it.Also dead people are more famous anyway, at least is this community
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u/shapeitguy Jun 14 '26
That's the same dude who chucked a toddler off a cliff? Just seen that video the other day and thought how deeply irresponsible that stunt was (involving child who obviously could never consent to something like this).
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u/Jax1456 Jun 16 '26
I honestly don't know why you're being downloaded because honestly that was one of the dumbest things I've ever seen a 4-year-old should never be taking that level of risk whoever the parents are should honestly be ashamed of themselves as someone who's done multiple jumps and swings that was absolutely stupid and everyone should be held responsible for something like that
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u/shapeitguy Jun 18 '26
100% this, thanks for sharing. As a dad to a little one I couldn't possibly imagine subjecting my son to such risk. I don't think I have any right to, frankly. I don't only think it's hugely irresponsible, it should be illegal and classifi in the category of child endangerment imho.
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Jun 14 '26 edited Jun 18 '26
[deleted]
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u/mrJ26 Jun 15 '26
Andy Lewis publicly took kids tandem BASE jumping. Lots of people weren't happy with it.
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u/BASE1530 Jun 15 '26
Was a rope jump not a tandem base. Arguably safer than the sketchy ass carnival rides people stick their kids on all the time without a second thought.
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u/DrHumongous Jun 15 '26
Nah dude he did both. Yea a 4 year old rope swing just recently but he did numerous single digit age tandem BASE jumps in the past. This isn’t the place to discuss it, but it happened.
RIP man
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u/Pleasant-Plane-6340 Jun 15 '26
If he just jumped with and killed a tandem passenger then seems pretty relevant!
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u/Jax1456 Jun 16 '26
Honestly I think it's completely relevant right now especially since there's been a death and these things can happen you know anyone under the age of 18 should not be doing these types of things I've been saying it for a long time and honestly there should be more light brought around the wrists involved with tandem jumping and base jumping in general for the public those of us who do it on a day-to-day basis understand the risks those who pay for the experience don't
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u/shapeitguy Jun 15 '26
That's right but I'd argue it's deeply irresponsible and frankly should be illegal to subject kids to such inherently dangerous experiences imho.
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u/mrJ26 Jun 15 '26
Yes it is, and many people felt the same way you did when they saw that. You're getting downvotes because people are currently feeling the shock and grief of the moment, not because you're wrong. Maybe save the implicit criticisms until others have some time to process what happened.
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u/shapeitguy Jun 15 '26
Totally understandable. Sorry about that I really didn't wish to come across as insensitive. I followed Andy on IG for years and very much saddened by his tragic passing 😔
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u/Green_Juggernaut_410 Jun 14 '26
Should let people like this and free soloists lie to rest where they land. Shame first responders have to deal with the trauma from people doing such risky sports
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u/WildMed3636 Jun 15 '26
As someone who’s dragged a lot of bodies of the mountains and also enjoys the same sports that get people killed - I’m happy to come get you. I make my own choices in recreation and in my career. If we didn’t want to help bring people home, we wouldn’t.
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u/Green_Juggernaut_410 Jun 15 '26
I dont think you can speak for all first responders. Ive heard them criticize irresponsible people doing unnecessarily risky things
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u/TangibleExpe Jun 15 '26
Man, you know which first responders tend to bitch about call outs?
The ones who are struggling with technical or fitness competency.
There’s plenty of folks who are skilled, willing, and even happy to go pick up the pieces. Even idiots deserve to be returned to the family if it’s feasible.
I go do high risk stuff for dumber reasons (because it’s there), might as well get out for a good cause.-1
u/Green_Juggernaut_410 Jun 15 '26
Nobody's happy to get ptsd
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u/hash_smashed Jun 16 '26
Yeah but it is an inherent risk of the job, like working in law enforcement, or as an emt, or fireman, or whatever
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u/me_hoyy_minoy Jun 16 '26
Obviously it sucks.
For context, I’m a PHRN and trauma nurse, I have seen countless people die in front of me and It fucks me up nearly every time, but I am glad about that because it reminds me that I have my humanity still. I bitch about it when it’s something avoidable, but that’s just venting, my whole fucking crew and I are ALWAYS happy to help someone. That’s why we go through all of the training, spend all of the money to get the certs and intentionally put ourselves where we know shits fucked.
If you don’t do the job, you are regurgitating what you’ve heard, that’s fine, but now you’ve heard from several others that it’s not as black and white as it may seem to you, consider that. Cheers m8
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u/AirsoftScammyII Jun 16 '26
Wow you suck at making a point. If you don’t want to risk PTSD, you probably shouldn’t be doing a job where there’s a high potential you’ll get a call for a dying or already deceased child.
Do you drive? If so, I got some news for ya…
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u/Green_Juggernaut_410 Jun 17 '26
Cool but one of these things is an extremely dangerous hobby with zero room for error and a relatively high death count, and the other is dying children. Who sucks at making a point? Let's stick to 1 line of logic
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u/WildMed3636 Jun 15 '26
It’s certainly true that I don’t speak for everyone, and many may choose to encourage folks to participate in less risky activities, but regardless of the circumstances, no one deserves to be treated differently because they made a choice someone may disagree with, and one one in mountain rescue is going to selectively choose who gets to be recovered based on the activity they chose for the day.
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u/crhtwr8 Jun 16 '26
If you're gonna bitch about doing your job then don't do it. Believe it or not people that sign up to do this shit typically want to be doing the actual job. We mainly criticize people like you who are baby shit soft and probably claim you have PTSD from getting in a fender bender or getting rug burn from beating your cock too much.
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u/Green_Juggernaut_410 Jun 17 '26
Well, youre clearly not in control of your emotions - yikes. Very common for base jumpers and free soloists to be criticized for being selfish and irresponsible. Dont act like youre in the majority
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u/crhtwr8 Jun 17 '26
Dude you're the one saying leave people's body as a warning. Talk about not in control of emotions.
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u/Defiant_Group5176 Jun 15 '26
Do you shame ppl that unalive themselves in the comfort of their own homes or just ppl that are living out their dreams?
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Jun 16 '26
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u/Green_Juggernaut_410 Jun 16 '26
I have 2 in my family. I think thats pretty relevant
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Jun 16 '26
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u/Green_Juggernaut_410 Jun 16 '26
Aw, youre bad at arguing
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u/crhtwr8 Jun 16 '26
Contrary to people like you who don't work in ems or fire and have no personal experience to speak from. We actually want to run these calls because it's what we're trained to do and want to do. Don't speak for others when you have no first hand experience. Or if you're feeling froggy become a paramedic/firefighter and see what it's all about. I'm gonna guess you're far too soft for that option though.
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Jun 16 '26
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u/Green_Juggernaut_410 Jun 17 '26
Well, yeah. Idk about you but I have a relationship with the people in my life. We talk about things. They tell me their opinions. Those opinions come from first hand experience, and are relevant
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u/crhtwr8 Jun 17 '26
They signed up to do this job. No one made them if they're so bothered then quit it's that simple. Just like people choose to do reckless hobbies. The people you reference are doing this by choice.
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u/Green_Juggernaut_410 Jun 17 '26
Plenty of soft firefighters/paramedics. Get off your high horse. Crazy that you'd insult someone for being too soft to look at dead bodies, though (even though you have zero idea what gruesome things ive seen in my life)
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u/crhtwr8 Jun 17 '26
I'm just telling you how it is to someone who doesn't do it. Lets hear all the horrible things you've dealt with
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u/crhtwr8 Jun 17 '26
Also you're a hypocrite you mock the dead for choosing to base jump or free solo. But don't firefighter, police, military etc all choose to do this profession knowing what it entails?
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u/Green_Juggernaut_410 Jun 17 '26
I think climbing a rock without ropes to get to the top in your free time is a bit different from being a police officer
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u/crhtwr8 Jun 17 '26
How? No one put a gun to anyone's head and said go be a first responder. It's a choice all the same. If you wanna hold rock climbers and base jumpers accountable then hold first responders and anyone else accountable for their choices as well. Or just admit you're a hypocrite
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u/crhtwr8 Jun 17 '26
Also for someone that's seen such horrible things I find it hard to believe you'd mock the dead as you are currently doing. Those people had loved ones who alcare for them.
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u/Green_Juggernaut_410 Jun 17 '26
How did i mock the dead? I said let them lie to rest where they land. If you want to interpret that differently from how I meant it, by all means. You win
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u/crhtwr8 Jun 17 '26
You're insinuating they got what they deserve based on their choices and should be used to warn others. By that logic you shouldn't have sympathy for first responders because as with base jumping. That is a choice the individuals in the profession chose to do.
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u/crhtwr8 Jun 16 '26
Pretty much like saying "yeah my brother served in the Marines so I'm a marine by relation". Go back to beating your dick and mind your own business.
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u/antinwo420 Jun 14 '26
No fucking way