Australian Skydiver's Mid-Air Rescue: Surviving a Parachute Caught on Aircraft Tail

The skydiver was violently thrown backward with their legs impacting the aircraft

Australia:

Terrifying footage released Thursday by Australian authorities captured the harrowing moment when a skydiver was left suspended thousands of meters above ground after their parachute became entangled with the aircraft's tail.

The skydiver survived this frightening incident, which took place south of Cairns during a September stunt jump. The event has only recently come to light following investigations conducted by the transport safety watchdog.

The planned 16-way formation by parachutists at 15,000 feet (4,600 meters), which was being recorded by a parachuting camera operator, descended into chaos within moments of the first participant reaching the exit point of the plane.

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau released video footage showing the participant's reserve parachute being unexpectedly deployed when its handle caught on the wing flap of the aircraft.

The jumper was forcefully propelled backward—their legs colliding with the aircraft—as the bright orange reserve parachute wrapped itself around the plane's tail section.

According to the bureau's report, which did not specify names, ages, or genders, the parachutist also knocked the camera operator, who was positioned on the side of the aircraft preparing to jump, into an unplanned freefall.

The jumper was observed placing their hands on their helmet briefly, appearing stunned by the situation.

While suspended in this perilous position, the jumper used a hook knife to cut the strings of the reserve chute and free themselves from the aircraft.

After releasing themselves, the parachutist successfully deployed their main parachute and landed safely on the ground.

"Carrying a hook knife—although not mandated by regulations—could prove life-saving during a premature reserve parachute deployment," stated the bureau's chief commissioner Angus Mitchell.

The incident caused "substantial damage" to the aircraft's tail, significantly limiting the pilot's control of the plane. Despite issuing a mayday distress call, the pilot managed to safely land the aircraft.