[SSN558]

Something is not right with this story. I've jumped out a a few Cessnas. The noise is close to deafing when the door is open at 9000 ft cruising. I use to stand on the landing gear with another jumper and we had to yell right in each others ear to communicate. How could the pilot not notice ?

[freepersup]

I agree that it would be highly noticeable. However, the swan diver may have went out of the plane at the very instant the door swung open. The pilot would have a momentary disconnect, in trying to figure out rationally what was taking place. In that split second of reasonable deduction, our star pupil would have been gone from the plane. Even if the pilot attempted a snatch, I suspect that the momentum would have been in favor of the jumper.