Skydiver's Miraculous Survival: Early Parachute Deployment Leads to Narrow Escape

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Quick thinking and a hook knife prevented a disaster in Far North Queensland after a skydiver’s parachute became stuck on the tail of a light plane.

A pilot and 17 skydivers were on board a Cessna Caravan flying over Tully Airport, about 142 kilometres south of Cairns, on September 20, when the first parachutist’s reserve chute accidentally deployed, dragging them backwards and getting caught on the plane’s horizontal stabiliser.

Investigations revealed that the parachute had become entangled with the wing flap of the aircraft.

The pilot was initially unaware a skydiver had become caught on the plane in Tully, Queensland, according to the ATSB final report. — The pilot was initially unaware a skydiver had become caught on the plane. (ATSB)

The incident caused damage to the plane’s tail and left the skydiver dangling precariously beneath the aircraft.

According to the Australian Transport Safety Board (ATSB) final report, 13 of the skydivers were able to safely disembark, while two stayed on the plane and watched the snagged skydiver use a hook knife to cut 11 lines from the chute.

This unfortunate snag led to a tear in the remaining parachute, ultimately freeing the skydiver and enabling the main parachute to deploy.

Remarkably, the skydiver made a safe landing, sustaining only minor injuries in the process.

Unaware of the skydiver’s predicament, the pilot initially mistook the situation for a stall and responded by increasing the plane’s power.

Investigators said the incident was a reminder for skydivers to be aware of their surroundings before jumping out of a plane. This comes after a skydiver had a narrow escape in Tully, Queensland when his parachute got caught in the tail of a plane. — Investigators said the incident was a reminder for skydivers to be aware of their surroundings before jumping out of a plane. (ATSB)

However, he had to act quickly when they realised the gravity of the situation.

“Upon being told there was a skydiver hung up on the tailplane, they reduced power again,” ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said.

Once the skydiver was freed from the aircraft, the pilot was able to gradually and safely descend.

The pilot was wearing an emergency parachute, and was prepared to bail out should the situation have required it.

The skydiver was eventually able to cut himself free, but the ATSB had a warning despite no major injuries being recorded in the incident in Tully, Queensland. — The skydiver was eventually able to cut himself free, but the ATSB had a warning despite no major injuries being recorded in the incident. (ATSB)

Mitchell said the incident was a reminder of skydivers to be aware of their surroundings.

The final report also found the aircraft was not loaded properly, though it clarified that was not a cause of the accident.

Mitchell said this finding should not be ignored, due to previous serious accidents from such an oversight.

“Fatal parachuting accidents have occurred in the past due to aircraft being loaded outside centre of gravity limits, which highlights the importance of conducting aircraft weight and balance calculations prior to each load,” he said.