On Sunday, May 11, 1997 at 12:00:00 AM UTC-7,
[email protected] wrote:
I am sorry to report that Mothers Day, May 11, 1997 at approximately
11:15 a.m. at Perris Valley Skydiving, that a tandem instructor,
Harley Powell (-NOT- the Harley on this N.G.) decided that it was in
his best interest to kill himself.
Before his last jump, he was observed as being "calm". He boarded
Shark Air 3, for a hop and pop at 4,500. He was on the same plane as
the Perris Valley Ghost Riders CRW team and exited after them. On his
way out of the airplane, he told the rest of the people, "there's a
letter in my van", and then proceeded to jump. The Ghost Riders
reported that they saw Harley in a head down position shortly after
exit. I and a few other witnesses saw him at 1500' flat and stable.
He proceeded to bounce about 50 yards from the peas in full sight of
everyone present. No attempt was made to pull anything. Based on my
quick viewing of the body, I noticed that all handles were in place.
The police discovered a letter in his van that is believed to be a
suicide note. Anne Helliwell was the examiner on sight (FAA
examiner?)
The above are the facts. The following are my personal opinions...
I can't believe that the asshole had the balls to do this. He was a
selfish son of a bitch, tainting the sport that cared and supported
him for many years. To go out like this sucks for everyone around
him. Nobody was suprised at this. Most of the comments were to the
effect of, "Well, that's a typical Harley maneuver." On MOTHERS DAY,
NO LESS. One jumper reported that he called his mother this morning
to wish her a happy mothers day. What a cruel, selfish thing to do to
your mom. Mothers Day for her will now be "The day that my son killed himself." The few friends that he had left he lost on his last jump.
Too bad. Kill youself and all your friendships at the same time.
-Mark
Mark: just for the record, I knew Harley when we were stationed in Yokosuka, Japan, with the 7th fleet flagship, in 1979. We were tight buddies, and I missed him terribly when he transferred to Hawaii. Twenty-plus years later, thanks to the internet, I
was elated (I thought) to have found his address--and his sister replied to my message. She told me about his suicide. He was distraught because his girlfriend had terminated a pregnancy and didn't tell him. I agree with your pain--and I still grieve and
miss him, especially on Memorial Day.
--- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
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