The nine sky divers whose two airplanes collided in the air over northwestern Wisconsin over the weekend went on national TV Tuesday, and all declared that they have no doubt that they'll jump again.
Two small airplanes carrying the sky divers collided in midair over Superior, Wis., just before 6 p.m. Saturday, causing the lead plane to break into pieces, with debris falling across a swath of the southern section of town. Only minor injuries were reported among the 11 aboard.
While on NBC's "Today" show, video of the incident was aired from helmet cameras that some of the jumpers wore. The New York Daily News and the Washington Post both reported that the video was sold to NBC for $100,000, but the sellers would not confirm an amount.
Along with the video being shown on "Today," the network intends to use it on its nightly newscast and on "Dateline: NBC" next week.
During Tuesday's appearance on "Today," the sky divers were asked by host Matt Lauer who is ready to jump again. They all raised their hands.
"This is just who we are," Barry Sinex, an instructor for Skydive Superior, told Lauer.
Another jumper, 31-year-old LaNaya Bonogofsky, of Superior, add, "I'm more afraid of spiders."
The two planes left Richard I. Bong Airport in Superior about 5:45 p.m. and were in the air for 15 minutes when the nine parachutists prepared to jump. The two aircraft collided 8 miles southeast of Duluth. All of the divers made it to the ground with parachutes deployed, as did one of the pilots. The other pilot landed his plane safely.
What led to the collision remains for federal investigators to determine.
Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482
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