Extreme skier Shane McConkey died Thursday while filming his latest movie in Italy.

After launching off a 400+ foot cliff into a double backflip with the expectation of deploying his parachute and gliding down to the ground, McConkey experienced problems when one of his skis didn’t come off.  Struggling with the ski, he got into a bad spin and died on impact when he hit the ground below the cliff.

A member of the Red Bull Air Force and pioneer of the ski-BASE-ing phenomenon, MConkey was filming with Matchstick Productions and Red Bull in the Italian Dolomites at the time of his death.

McConkey, 39, of Olympic Valley, Calif., is survived by his wife, Sherry, and their 3½-year-old daughter, Ayla.

View Shane McConkey ski base jumping videos below.

Video one

Video two

Related Articles:

• Natasha Richardson Dies Following Ski Accident (Photos)
• TapouT Founder Charles 'Mask' Lewis Jr. Dies in Ferrari Crash (Photos)
• Jeremy Lusk: Freestyle Motocross Rider Dies of Injuries (Crash Video)
• Monster Truck Accident Video
• Billy Poole Pro Extreme Skier Killed While Filming Jump
• Nikki Catsouras "Porsche Girl" Died - Crash Photos Leaked by CHP

Filed under: Celebrities, sports