Skydiving instructor Jose de Alencar Lima Junior died on Sunday after jumping off an 820-foot cliff. Lima lived in Germany but took a trip to Brazil to visit family. During the trip, he went to Pedra Bonita in Sao Conrado to try a fast flight, which is similar to paragliding but includes elements of parachuting and freeriding.

His sister-in-law, who did not want to be named, said: “We have no idea what could have happened. But he was a professional skydiver for 20 years. He had experience. What happened was an accident.”

right New York PostLima served in the Parachute Infantry Brigade of the Brazilian Army as a paratrooper, emphasizing his experience. Authorities believe the equipment he used on the fatal day malfunctioned.

Visitors watched in horror as Lima disappeared from the cliff and many waited to see if his parachute would appear. However, it soon became apparent that he had fallen.

Witnesses at the scene report observing Lima’s ride prior to his fall. It took several hours for the rescue team to reach Lima due to the wooded location. When rescuers reached him, he was dead. Lima tragically fell 820 feet to the rocks at the base of the cliff.

The New York Post explained that activities such as high-speed flying at this location are completed from an official ramp. In addition, Clube Sao Conrado de Voo Livre (CSCLV) controls access to Pedra Bonita.

CSCLV said: “The pilot did not use the ramp for take-off. The place he chose for take-off is wrong and even forbidden. CSCLV is not responsible for the incident. With this clarification, may the pilot rest in peace.”

According to his sister-in-law, he was scheduled to visit Dubai this week to complete a series of jumps. She said Globo“That was a dream for him, to jump from various places in the world.”

Lima’s family is in mourning at this time. An investigation into the fatal accident is ongoing.