Australian authorities on Thursday released footage of a harrowing September incident in which a skydiver ended up dangling thousands of metres in the air after their reserve parachute became snagged on the tail of the aircraft.
The group had planned a 16-way formation jump from about 15,000 feet south of Cairns. But moments after the first jumper moved toward the exit, things took a dangerous turn. The video shows the skydiver’s reserve chute deploying accidentally when its handle caught on the plane’s wing flap. The sudden force yanked the jumper backwards, slamming their legs into the aircraft before the orange reserve canopy wrapped around the tail, leaving them suspended over open air.
The pull was strong enough to send the camera operator—waiting to exit—into an unplanned freefall. For several seconds, the trapped skydiver appears motionless, hands on their helmet, seemingly trying to comprehend the situation.
Then, using a hook knife they had on hand, the skydiver cut through the tangled reserve lines and freed themselves. They deployed their main parachute and landed safely.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau noted that although carrying a hook knife is not required, it can be crucial in emergencies like this. “Carrying a hook knife, although it is not a regulatory requirement, could be lifesaving in the event of a premature reserve parachute deployment,” said bureau chief commissioner Angus Mitchell, according to AFP.
The aircraft’s tail sustained significant damage from the impact. The pilot briefly lost proper control and issued a mayday call but ultimately managed to land the plane safely.
