Exited Aircraft Without Parachute For No Clear Reason

Authorities are still investigating why an observer aboard an aircraft used as a skydiving platform exited the airplane without a parachute Saturday, falling to his death.

Sloan Carafello, 29, of Schenectady, NY exited the Cessna 182 over Duanesburg after a skydiving student with instructor and a videographer left the aircraft.  Carafello's body struck a house just before 1400 local time according to the Albany Times Union.

The tenant of the house was inside at the time and called the landlord to notify him of the occurrence. No others were hurt.

The Cessna 182 was flown by pilot and owner of the Duanesburg Skydiving Club, Bob Rawlins. Carafello was listed as an observer and the only other passengers were the three skydivers.

Rawlins said the instructor, student and videographer exited the aircraft but as Rawlins began to close the door, Carafello, holding a camera but no parachute or gear, jumped out. According to Rawlins, the aircraft was at 10,000 feet when the incident occurred.

Rawlins said the videographer filmed Carafello’s fall... and Carafello took pictures of himself while freefalling. Police have the video.

After the group of skydivers landed, the videographer told bystanders to call 911.

According to Kamil Wasilewski, the cousin of the student skydiver with the instructor, Carafello didn't seem particularly agitated before the flight as he walked by, but he was wearing a stained white T-shirt. "I got an air, a weird vibe, but I didn't think twice about it," Wasilewski said.

There was one other possible sign of something unusual about Carafello. Rawlins said the man listed "General Schwarzenegger" as his emergency contact.

The business owner said Carafello contacted the skydiving club about a week prior inquiring about going up, saying he wanted to take aerial photos for a school project.

Observer customers who are not skydiving, are regularly allowed aboard skydiving aircraft in the club. They remain buckled into their seats and take pictures through the window or out the door, said Rawlins, who said Carafello's seat belt was fastened when the plane took off.

Though skydiving customers are required to fill out paperwork and show identification before flight, Carafello was not asked for his ID. "Why would I ask for his ID?" Rawlins said. "He wasn't sky diving. I'm not sure he put his real name on the paperwork when he signed in."

Rawlins said he has never seen anything like this before in his 37 years in the business.

"People get hurt from time to time, we try to regulate and keep them safe," he said. "I just felt horror."

FMI:  www.duanesburgskydiving.com