Burns is on a training parachute jump with Doc Weise, Bill Murphy, Billy Abernathy, Myron Shepard, and Tony Willis. It becomes obvious that he s drifting over the intended land drop zone towards a small lake, which he lands in. The remaining PJs exit the aircraft. After landing they use various methods to recover Burns, including dragging with a canoe. This is successful and he is brought to land.
Artificial respiration is initiated and sustained for a long time without success.