Every skydiver's nightmare

[Mike]

That's a low number for a serious hobbyist. I went two years ago and the guy I jumped with had over 5k jumps. There were other folks in the plane with considerably more.

Our chute (tandem) took several seconds to open. When it finally did, he screamed to me "that was a close one".

You better believe that if it's a tandem jump and the chutes fail I'm doing everything I can to "come out on top" when we hit the ground.

[lincolnboy]

reason #1 to not jump out of a perfectly good airplane.

Jumping would mean to go up. Should say to fall out of a good airplane!

[BoostedD1]

Jumping would mean to go up. Should say to fall out of a good airplane!

Lol

[GE]

ever since 9/11 I never go anywhere above 4 stories without a parachute and/or repelling equipment.

You skydive?

Sucks to hear about this person, hope they make it.

[lincolnboy]

Reminds me of the girl whos parent took her on her bday and had the same thing happen. Survived. Some people are giving another chance at life.

[Forever_frost]

Yet another reason I'm glad I wasn't airborne infantry. I knew a couple of guys who became lawn darts. They lived but they were fucked up.

[chronical]

Svo's chute malfunction resulted in the great quake of San Francisco

[BoostedD1]

http://www.wfaa.com/mb/news/local/skydiver-injured-after-mid-air-collision/36961516

[FunFordCobra]

Well there goes the whole thing that you die from a heart attack before you splat.

[cobrajet69]

I did a jump with those guys and they are true professionals.
Sad to hear about this. Glad he's recovering.



David

[FunFordCobra]

damn how old are you???

[Tremor14]

40. I had him when I was 19.

But I'm dumb.

[BMCSean]

40. I had him when I was 19.

I always thought you were a dude???

[Venom]

Yet another reason I'm glad I wasn't airborne infantry. I knew a couple of guys who became lawn darts. They lived but they were fucked up.

We average a jump per month. It fucking sucks. The worst part about it is that we're in the guard and we jump more than some active duty units. I'm going on a profile as soon as I make E-6 I am not going to jump anymore. I'm too old for all that hooah shit.

[ColonelAngus]

I used to to work at a video store in the early 90's. The guy featured in this story owned it. Super nice guy who happened to have a lot of money.


John Appleton: Philanthropist, 55, who led an active life

11:37 PM CDT on Monday, May 2, 2005


By GRETEL C. KOVACH / The Dallas Morning News


John Appleton played golf, scuba dived, jumped from the skies and ran long and hard. After he took part in 21 marathons and nearly 4,000 parachute jumps, the life of the 55-year-old Park Cities investor and philanthropist was cut short Sunday afternoon in a skydiving accident.

Mr. Appleton fell to his death near Whitewright, Texas, when his main parachute tangled with the reserve parachute, Skydive Dallas officials said.

"Obviously that's very hard," daughter Katie Appleton said of losing her father. "But we don't blame the sport. ... He really loved it and enjoyed it, and we all supported him."

Services will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church of Dallas, 408 Park Ave.

John Stephen Appleton Jr. said he and his father started skydiving together 10 years ago. John Appleton had 72 hours of free fall experience. His son racked up 2,000 jumps, his daughter Tracy Appleton 100 and daughter Katie about 50.

The Appletons said skydiving is a safe sport and no one ever asked Mr. Appleton to stop.

"That would have been like asking someone to not go outside for fear of being struck by lightning," his son said.

The Fannin County Sheriff's Department is investigating the death, WFAA-TV (Channel 8) reported. Skydive Dallas officials said they have not determined why the parachutes malfunctioned.

"My father was one of the genuine lovers of life," John Appleton Jr. said. "He was more than anything a friend to all those around him. While we're obviously heartbroken that he has died so young, I feel there are so many people that benefited from his life."

Born in Evanston, Ill., Mr. Appleton graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1972 and earned a master's in business administration from the school in 1973.

He was president of Chicago-based Appleton Electric Co. and a board member of Emerson Electric Co., which bought the family-owned company. He returned to Dallas in 1983 and invested in his own company and the renovation of the Granada Theater on Greenville Avenue, among other ventures.

Mr. Appleton was banned for a year as a Southern Methodist University Mustang booster in 1985 and was cited, along with eight others, by NCAA officials who later suspended the SMU football program.

He had donated about $200,000 to SMU, but it was $900 for car repairs that he gave to an athlete that got him into trouble. Mr. Appleton had witnessed the accident and said he wanted to help the athlete but later apologized.

In addition to his three children, Mr. Appleton is survived by his wife of 31 years, Deborah Appleton; father Arthur Appleton; sister Linda Potter; brothers Tom Appleton, Arthur Appleton Jr., Billy Appleton and Jim Appleton, and their spouses and children.

Memorials may be made to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children.

Staff writer Katie Fairbank contributed to this report.