A Camera Is Not A Parachute

DUANESBURG, NY - 29-year-old Sloan Carafello of Schenectady, New York, leaped out of a plane at 10,000 feet with a camera but no parachute Saturday afternoon.

His body was found next to a house with a damaged roof, police said. Carafello, who was observing on the flight, followed the instructor, student and videographer out the door, wearing no skydiving gear, officials said. Carafello struck a house at 7951 Duanesburg Road just before 2 p.m., damaging the roof and splitting his body in two.

A tenant was inside at the time and called to inform the landlord, who does not live in the house. No one else was hurt. The landlord declined comment.

Bob Rawlins, the pilot and owner of the Duanesburg Skydiving Club, said he began to close the plane's door, Carafello leaped out, holding a camera but no sky diving gear.

The videographer filmed as Carafello fell and Carafello took pictures of himself while falling through the air, according to Rawlins. Police have the video.

Bystanders said Carafello didn't appear particularly agitated before the flight but he was wearing a stained white T-shirt. One person stated, "When he walked by, I got an air, a weird vibe, but I didn't think twice about it."

Rawlins said Carafello had called the office about a week ago inquiring about going up and said he wanted to take aerial photos for a school project.

The sky diving club regularly allows customers to fly in the plane as observers. They stay 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.

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

Rawlins noted the man listed "General Schwarzenegger" as his emergency contact. Rawlins, who has been in the business for 37 years, said he has never seen anything like this before.