Skydiver Dies After Striking Plane in Fla.

[sws4420]

DELAND, Fla. (AP) - A man who was skydiving in central Florida struck the wing of a plane as he descended over an airport, losing both his legs in the accident. The man later died, officials said.

Albert Wing III hit the airplane that he jumped from Saturday morning, police Cmdr. Randel Henderson said. Police said the victim had opened his parachute when he struck the left wing at about 600 feet. His legs were severed at the knees, but he managed to land near an airport.

Wing was taken to a hospital, where he later died, Henderson said. The plane landed safely. DeLand is about 40 miles north of Orlando.

Fourteen other skydivers were in the air at the time of the accident, Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Holly Baker said. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board were investigating.

Skydive DeLand, which organized the jump, said Saturday's accident was not common. The death was the second involving the company this year.


http://apnews.myway.com/article/20050424/D89LP8EG0.html

[Bob]

DELAND, Fla. (AP) - A man who was skydiving in central Florida struck the wing of a plane as he descended over an airport, losing both his legs in the accident. The man later died, officials said.

Albert Wing III hit the airplane that he jumped from Saturday morning, police Cmdr. Randel Henderson said. Police said the victim had opened his parachute when he struck the left wing at about 600 feet. His legs were severed at the knees, but he managed to land near an airport.

Wing was taken to a hospital, where he later died, Henderson said. The plane landed safely. DeLand is about 40 miles north of Orlando.

Fourteen other skydivers were in the air at the time of the accident, Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Holly Baker said. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board were investigating.

Skydive DeLand, which organized the jump, said Saturday's accident was not common. The death was the second involving the company this year.




http://apnews.myway.com/article/20050424/D89LP8EG0.html



Ok where do I start. First off, Bill great article. Secondly, the dude's last name was wing. Hell I wouldn't become a cop if my last name was gun. It was the same plane he just jumped out of. Did he not see it or isn't there some sort of pattern that's set up. And when he lost both his legs, how far away did those things land from where he ended up setting stubble?