An Australian skydiver narrowly survived a terrifying mid-air incident when his reserve parachute prematurely deployed and became entangled with a small aircraft, leaving him dangling beneath the plane before cutting himself free and landing with minor injuries, investigations released by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) show.
The dramatic episode took place on September 20, 2025, during a 16-way formation jump over Far North Queensland from Tully Airport. As the first jumper exited the Cessna Caravan at around 15,000 feet, the handle of his reserve parachute snagged on a wing flap and unexpectedly deployed. The force of the deployment pulled the skydiver backward, striking the aircraft’s tailplane and leaving the parachutist suspended under the plane while the reserve canopy wrapped around the tail.
Trapped in the air, the skydiver used a hook knife to slice through the tangled lines of the reserve chute, ultimately freeing himself and entering freefall. He successfully deployed his main parachute and landed safely, suffering only minor injuries in the frightening ordeal.
The ATSB’s report also noted significant damage to the aircraft’s tail and that the pilot, having declared a mayday, still managed to bring the plane back safely to Tully Airport. The incident underscores the risks in skydiving operations and highlights the potential importance of emergency cutting tools in life-threatening situations.
