A skydiving adventure in northeastern Australia turned into a life-threatening incident when a jumper’s parachute became entangled with the tail of the aircraft at around 15,000 feet. The dramatic event occurred on September 20 near Tully Airport in Queensland, during a routine group jump.
The skydiver, who was filming the jump, experienced a sudden emergency when the reserve parachute accidentally snagged on a wing flap as he exited the small aircraft. The snag caused the parachute to open prematurely, pulling him backward and dangerously close to the plane. The entanglement also disrupted another person filming the jump, who nearly fell from the aircraft.
Caught in mid-air with the reserve parachute wrapped around the plane’s tail, the skydiver had only seconds to act. Using a personal hook knife, he cut through approximately 11 lines of the tangled parachute. Once freed, he deployed his main parachute, which opened properly despite some remaining entanglement, allowing him to descend safely. He sustained minor leg injuries but avoided more serious harm.
Meanwhile, the pilot faced the challenging task of flying the plane with parachute material still attached to its tail. After declaring a mayday, the pilot successfully landed the aircraft back at Tully Airport, with no serious injuries to anyone on board.
The incident has highlighted the importance of safety tools such as a hook knife for skydivers, which, while not mandatory, can be crucial in emergencies. Officials from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau also noted potential procedural issues, including weight and balance considerations in the aircraft, that may have contributed to the accident.
Authorities released footage of the event to emphasize the risks involved in skydiving and the importance of strict safety protocols. The survival of the skydiver is being credited to quick thinking, proper safety equipment, and prompt action in a highly dangerous situation.
