Wingsuit pilot dies in illegal 1000ft Table Mountain jump

Wingsuit Pilot Dies in Illegal Jump from Table Mountain

One of the world’s best wingsuit pilots, Brendan Weinsten, has died after an illegal jump from Table Mountain in South Africa.

Weinsten, 32, dove from the summit of the iconic Cape Town landmark and crashed into rocks nearly 1,000 feet below, reaching speeds of up to 120 mph.

Despite the jump being strictly forbidden, he proceeded after concealing his equipment from staff to avoid suspicion.

Details of the Incident

Weinsten, an experienced wingsuit pilot, failed to pull up in time and crashed head-first into a popular hiking trail while families watched in horror.

More than 50 tourists hiking on the mountain were left traumatized after hearing him scream as he realized his fate.

The fatal impact occurred around 9 a.m. on Monday while he was filming a YouTube video for his 44,000 followers.

Witness Accounts

Hiker Kirsten Enderby said her family was close to where Weinsten hit the ground. She stated, “My family and I were right at the impact zone when the accident happened.”

Another witness described narrowly avoiding the falling pilot, saying, “He came crashing down between my husband and I.”

Aftermath and Reactions

Weinsten leaves behind his Brazilian wife, Kivia Martins, and their baby son, Eiger. Martins shared a family photo online, stating, “He was deeply loved and he left a powerful mark on so many people.”

It is believed that the Red Bull-sponsored athlete took a cable car to the top of Table Mountain, hiding his wingsuit and parachute from staff.

Jumping from the summit is illegal. After reaching the top, he reportedly walked for about 15 minutes to a known exit point before making the jump.

Expert Opinions

Former skydiver Jeff Ayliffe said the jump was highly technical and should not have been attempted without local knowledge. He noted, “He hadn’t contacted any of the local base-jumping fraternity.”

Ayliffe added, “Brendan Weinsten is considered one of the most experienced base jumpers in the world.”

Official Confirmation

South Africa Police spokesman Constable Ndakhe Gwala confirmed the fatality, stating, “A man suffered fatal injuries when he jumped from the summit of Table Mountain on Monday.”

He also mentioned that Weinsten would need to be identified by DNA due to severe facial injuries.

Previous Incidents

Weinsten is not the first daredevil to die in the region. In December, 35-year-old Jean Jacques Wallis died after crashing into Lion’s Head during a test flight.

More than 30 Wilderness Search and Rescue members were involved in recovering Wallis’s body.

About Base Jumping

Base jumping is a sport where thrill-seekers leap from cliffs, bridges, or buildings before deploying a parachute. It is considered one of the most dangerous sports in the world.

Wingsuit BASE jumping is even more extreme, using a specialized suit to glide horizontally before opening a parachute.

While fatalities are rare, the risks remain significant, with wingsuit BASE jumping records showing one death for every 500 jumps.