As a GM I have only ever applied falling damage to the creature that fell. I have never seen anything in the rules pertaining to a creature equipment taking damage. The closest I've seen is for AoE spells and unattended objects, but that doesn't help. It may not be completely realistic, but ignore his equipment when it comees to falling. Its the simple way to do it, and probably the best. I suppose you could make special exceptions if he's carrying fragile objects around. Does he have any pottery or glassware?
If he brought up damaging his items one time, then just blow it off. If he is insisting on it, then go ahead. Whatever makes him happy. But if another party member falls and he insists that person's gear takes damage, just ignore.
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The rule is that items that are on your person never take damage unless another rule says otherwise or something explicitly targets the item(s). This means that, outside of sundering, the only time your items take damage is if you roll a natural 1 on a save versus an area effect, and even then only one item takes damage.
Of course, if you die then that protection is lost, but the protection still applies to the effect that killed you. Fall onto the ground and break your neck? Gear is fine. Burn to death in lava? Unless that gear is fireproof, it's toast.
The reason things are ruled this way is pretty straight-forward: It's a pain in the butt otherwise. It would slow down the game and offer nothing of value in exchange.
