Skydiver left dangling from plane at 15,000 feet after parachute snag in Australia
-ATSB
Investigators in Australia have released dramatic footage showing a skydiver’s reserve parachute becoming entangled on the tail of an aircraft at about 15,000 feet, leaving the jumper suspended in mid‑air before he freed himself and landed safely.
The incident occurred on September 20 near Tully in northern Queensland.
A group of 17 parachutists and a pilot was preparing for a 16‑way formation jump from a Cessna Caravan when the first skydiver’s reserve parachute deployed prematurely.
The investigation found the reserve ripcord handle caught on a wing flap as he exited the aircraft, causing the chute to open and wrap around the plane’s horizontal stabilizer. This sudden drag pulled the skydiver toward the tail and left him dangling behind the aircraft.
Footage shows the aircraft pitching up as the pilot initially thought it had stalled. After declaring a mayday to air traffic control, the pilot reduced power and worked to maintain stable flight. Thirteen of the parachutists exited safely, while two remained in the doorway to monitor the situation
NEW: Skydiver's parachute gets caught on the tail of a plane, leaving him dangling 15,000 feet in the air over North Queensland, Australia.
As the parachutist climbed out of the plane, his reserve parachute handle got snagged on a wing flap.
The parachute then deployed and… pic.twitter.com/oVxiOl8bWN.
While suspended, the skydiver used a personal hook knife, a tool carried by many jumpers, to cut through 11 lines of the tangled reserve parachute. Once freed, he deployed his main parachute, which briefly became entangled with remnants of the reserve canopy before he disentangled the lines and landed with only minor injuries to his legs.
A camera operator aboard the flight was knocked off the aircraft by the sudden deployment and also landed safely with minor injuries. The pilot, despite limited control due to tail damage, managed to land the damaged plane at Tully Airport.
The incident highlights the value of carrying a hook knife during skydives, as it proved crucial in this case. Safety reviews within the parachuting community continue to focus on minimizing similar risks during high‑altitude jumps.