Luke Aikins becomes 1st skydiver to land without parachute; lands in net in Simi Valley

 

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. --

Skydiver Luke Aikins has become the first person to jump from a plane into a net on the ground without the benefit of a parachute.

Aikins hit the 100-by-100-foot net perfectly, quickly climbed out of it and walked over to hug his wife, who had been watching with other family members.

Just before climbing into a plane to make the jump, Aikins said he had been ordered to wear a parachute but indicated he wouldn't open it.

As the plane was climbing to 25,000 feet above the drop zone he said the requirement had been lifted and he took off the chute.

He fell for about two minutes, then flipped onto his back at the last second and landed perfectly to cheers from those gathered to watch.