The Moment Everything Went Wrong
A skydiving trip over Tully in far north Queensland became a nightmare when a skydiver’s reserve parachute accidentally deployed at the plane’s door and became tangled on the aircraft’s wing and tail section. Video captured inside the Cessna Caravan shows the reserve canopy whipping open as the jumper prepared to exit for a planned 16-way formation. The force pulled him backward and left him hanging outside the plane thousands of feet in the air.
Dangling Beneath the Aircraft
Once the reserve parachute wrapped itself around the aircraft’s horizontal stabilizer, the skydiver was suspended in open air while the plane continued flying at jump altitude. The sudden jolt damaged part of the tail and caused the aircraft to temporarily lose stability. Seventeen skydivers were onboard, including the camera operator who recorded the ordeal.
Cutting Himself Free in Mid-Air
The skydiver carried a hook knife on his harness, a tool required for emergency situations. With the reserve lines wrapped tightly around the tail, it became his only lifeline. He used the hook knife to cut through 11 lines linking his parachute to the aircraft, freeing himself after a tense struggle while still dangling in the slipstream.
A Dangerous Descent to Safety
Once separated, he deployed his main parachute. The partially deployed reserve still caused some twisting, but the main canopy opened enough to slow his fall and guide him safely to the ground. He suffered only minor injuries, including bruising and cuts.
Emergency Landing and Investigation
The pilot, dealing with damaged stabilizer components and uneven drag, declared an emergency and returned to Tully Airport. Investigators noted the aircraft had not been loaded within ideal weight and balance limits, though that was not considered a factor in the parachute snag. Safety officials emphasized careful gear handling near aircraft doors and highlighted the life-saving value of hook knives during skydiving operations.
A Close Call That Sparked Global Attention
The incident has since become a widely studied example in both aviation and skydiving communities. It stands as a stark reminder of how quickly a controlled jump can turn into a critical emergency and how preparedness and proper equipment can be the difference between survival and tragedy.
