Found this in the Guinness Book of records...

[Saitek]

This crazy and totally amazing incident happened back in 1972. I came across it and thought it was worth posting on here. Maybe you guys have already heard or read

[Hagar]

That is amazing. I recall a similar incident with a tailgunner from a Lancaster (I think) during WWII. I don't remember all the facts but think he was trapped in the burning tail section which had broken off from the rest of the aircraft. His parachute was either burned or in the other part of the aircraft. I think he jumped without one & landed in a snowdrift & was the only crew member to survive. Maybe someone can fill in the details.

[Hagar]

Here ya go. http://www.parachutehistory.com/other/bonusday.html
This is the incident I mentioned.

Nick Alkemade
March 23, 1944:

Nick Alkemade of the Royal Air Force survived a chuteless jump. He was a tail gunner in an AVRO Lancaster bomber. While returning from a bombing mission the aircraft was attacked by German Junkers JU-88. Alkemade was trapped in the turret after the bomber caught fire. His parachute was in the cabin area. Alkemade jumped from the aircraft, preferring a quick death to being burned.
He fell from 18,000 ft, all the while thinking of his ultimate death. He relaxed his body and fell in a slightly head down position.

His next recollection was looking up at the stars through some pine trees. He could not believe he was okay. He moved each arm and leg and soon realized he was not even hurt badly.

Completely grateful of being alive he smoked a cigarette, before even getting up. He thought about what had just happened to him.

He realized that the pine trees, with their pliable branches, slowly reduced his descent rate to one that was survivable. In addition, the soft snow cover reduced the landing forces even more.

He finally stood up. His leg was sprained and would not support his weight.

A short time later, the Germans captured Alkemade. The Gestapo did not believe his story of jumping without a parachute. They thought he was a spy. Finally, after inspecting the parachute harness and finding the burned parachute at the crash site they believe him.

Alkemade died on Jun. 22, 1987.

Also.

Lieutenant I. M. Chisov
January 1942:

Russian Lieutenant I. M. Chisov flew his Ilyushin 4 on a bitter cold day in January 1942. He was attacked by 12 German Messerschmitts.
Chisov bailed out at 21,980 ft. because he thought that was his best survival option. He free fell to escape the German fire. His plan was to open at 1000 ft.

He lost consciousness during his freefall. He landed on a steep ravine with 3 ft. of snow and plowed through the snow until coming to rest at the bottom.

He awoke 20 minutes later. He 'only' had a concussion of his spine and a fractured pelvis.

He recovered quickly and was back on duty as a flight instructor 3.5 months later.

Here's another amazing story of luck & true heroism.
http://www.nicks-cave.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/lanc/mynarski.htm

[ozzy72]

During the 30's the Soviets developed a delivery system called snow-dropping. Troops would leap out of an aircraft (can't remember which type now) at about 100 feet into large snowdrifts and then pick up their kit and go into combat.
Here are a couple of other odd ones...
[quote]An Australian free-fall skydiver recently had the misfortune to find that his parachute malfunctioned during a jump from 5,500 feet. It was exceedingly lucky for him that his fall was broken by a tree, resulting in multiple fractures. Understandably he is in hospital.
People are amazed that he fell nearly 6,000 feet and survived. It is certainly fortunate for this man that his final outcome was satisfactory, but I remember that there have been far more dramatic jumps from the skies, where men have been forced to bale out of aircraft without the use of a parachute at all. There have been several instances of men having jumped from far greater heights than 6,000 feet, and have lived to tell the tale.

It is estimated that the human body reaches it

[Saitek]

The 'acceleration of free fall' to be precise, - I think. I believe that this law means just what you have said Ozzy.
Ben

[ozzy72]

Aye Ben, sorry I didn't add the stuff about Lawn-Darts, these are people that wear special skin-tight aerodynamic kit, they can get head-down and over 320Mph
Personally when I jump I always feel v.happy when I see the canopy above my head

[Saitek]

Interesting stuff Ozzy. I expect 99% of men who jumped like that died though.

Ben

[ozzy72]

The Lawn-Darts are probably the most safety concious bods I know. Nutters with a high mortality rate would be Base Jumpers... and as we all know base means - a low or vulgar act