Anyone remember the '73 concert with them and the Dead at Watkins Glen? I'm not old enough to remember but have heard many stories of the skydiving incident. One of my dads best friends jumped with his instructor (who died). They all had flares tied to their boots and his ignited a fire on his clothes.
So this is what I got from my dad; Bill Smith was the guy who died (Smitty). He was an instructor and nationally ranked skydiver. There were 5 people total that jumped but not all at the same time. My dad went to the Camillus airport to pick up a different friend than the one of his who jumped, who was just on the plane for the ride. They had to hurry up and pick him up and leave as to avoid the NYS police who were arriving to question the pilot. Everyone who jumped was illegal. Bogus/forged paperwork. The pilot had no clue.I only vaguely remember the incident because I was only 5. But his (the one who died) parents were wonderful people. My family had come over from Europe, and fell into extreme hard times. His folks basically bought us a house in Syracuse, and a car, until we got onto our feet. My father paid them back quickly. His mom would often visit the house with a "yoo hoo!" and a huge bowl of spaghetti.