Heart-stopping second skydiver’s parachute snags on the tail of an airplane as 15,000-foot bounce goes horribly fallacious

Heart-stopping footage captured a skydiver fighting for his life mid-air after his reserve chute accidentally deployed and became tangled around the tail of the plane during a routine jump. 

The Far North Freefall Club, in Far North Queensland, was on its third round trip of the day on September 20 when the terrifying ordeal occurred. 

The pilot, along with 17 parachutists, departed Tully Airport in a Cessna Caravan and was en route for a planned 16-way formation skydive at 15,000 feet, which was to be filmed by a camera operator. 

At about 10am, the pilot slowed the aircraft down to 85 knots and signalled to the skydivers that it was safe to begin the jump. 

The Australian Transport and Safety Bureau (ATSB) released dramatic footage on Thursday, showing the first skydiver moving through the plane’s roller door to assume his float position. 

Seconds later, the handle on his reserve parachute became caught on the plane’s wing flap and inadvertently deployed. 

The sudden force dragged him backwards, accidentally pushing the camera operator into free fall. 

Heart-stopping footage showed the skydiver being dragged back by the force after the handle of his reserve chute became caught on the aircraft and accidentally deployed

The reserve parachute then became tangled around the tail of the aircraft, leaving him suspended in mid-air under the plane, while the camera operator was pushed into free-fall

The skydiver’s legs were injured as he struck the aircraft’s left horizontal stabiliser, which also caused substantial damage to the plane. 

His reserve parachute then became tangled around the tail of the aircraft, leaving him suspended in mid-air under the plane. 

ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said the pilot was initially unaware of the emergency but soon felt a change in the aircraft and noticed the rapidly decreasing airspeed. 

Mr Mitchell explained the pilot thought the aircraft had stalled and pushed on the control column to apply more power. 

However, once they were told there was a skydiver hanging from the tailplane, they reduced the aircraft’s power.  

The pilot also reported feeling violent control vibrations and explained significant forward pressure, along with input, was needed to keep the aircraft flying level. 

Thirteen skydivers exited the aircraft, while two remained watching from the open doorway as the first skydiver struggled to free himself from the tangled canopy. 

In less than a minute, the skydiver used a hook knife to cut 11 lines from the tangled reserve chute, freeing himself from the aircraft. 

 Other skydiver’s watched on as the jumper struggled to untangle the chute

In less than a minute, the skydiver used a hook knife to cut 11 lines from the tangled reserve chute, freeing himself from the aircraft

The experienced jumper, who has completed more than 2,000 skydives, dropped into free fall and deployed his main parachute. 

The main parachute also became tangled with the remnants of the reserve canopy, but the jumper was able to untangle the lines and gain control of the chute. 

The skydiver managed to land safely, with only minor injuries including cuts and bruises to his lower legs. 

Mr Mitchell explained the pilot was able to assess the aircraft for landing once all the parachutists had left and the skydiver had freed himself from the aircraft’s tail. 

‘With all parachutists out of the aircraft, the pilot assessed they had limited pitch control, given the substantially damaged tailplane, which still had a portion of the reserve parachute wrapped around it,’ Mr Mitchell said.

‘With forward pressure they found they could achieve a gradual descent and retracted the flap, which then allowed slightly more rudder, aileron and elevator control.’

The pilot declared a mayday to Brisbane Centre, claiming they had minimal control of the aircraft and were preparing to make an emergency jump.

‘In difficult circumstances, the pilot managed to control the aircraft and land safely at Tully,’ Mr Mitchell said.

After dropping into free fall, the jumper deployed the main parachute, which also became tangled with the remnants of reserve canopy but managed to untangle it and land safely

Despite damage to the aircraft, the pilot also controlled the aircraft and was able to execute an emergency landing

Mr Mitchell said the ordeal proved skydivers must remain vigilant and aware of their parachute handles while exiting an aircraft.

He added while hook knives are not a regulatory requirement, the incident showed how it could be a lifesaving tool in the event of a premature chute deployment.

Following the ATSB report, the Far North Freefall Club mandated hook knives for all jumpers.

The club also updated its loadmaster checklist, revised safety procedures, and issued oxygen reminders to pilots.