A Queensland skydiver survived a terrifying ordeal in September when his reserve parachute became entangled on an aircraft’s tail just before a jump, according to footage released Thursday by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB).
The skydiver, identified only as ‘P1’, was preparing to exit the aircraft at 15,000 feet with 16 fellow jumpers when his reserve parachute handle snagged on a wing flap, deploying instantly and yanking him backward. The nearby jumper was sent into freefall, while P1 ended up hanging from the plane’s horizontal stabiliser.
Remarkably, P1 freed himself using a small emergency hook knife, cutting through 11 reserve lines in under a minute, and landed with only minor injuries. ATSB chief commissioner Angus Mitchell emphasized the lifesaving importance of the tool.
“Carrying a hook knife – while not mandatory – can be crucial in the event of a premature reserve parachute deployment,” Mitchell said.
The aircraft’s pilot initially feared a stall as the plane pitched upward and lost airspeed, but maintained control while ensuring the safety of the remaining jumpers. Thirteen skydivers were instructed to jump for their safety, while two stayed behind to monitor P1.
Once freed, P1’s legs had struck the tail, causing structural damage to the horizontal stabiliser, though the pilot safely landed at Tully Airport.
World champion skydiver Dan Brodsky-Chenfeld noted the rarity of such incidents, highlighting the danger of reserve parachutes, which cannot be jettisoned and must be manually cut free line by line.
Sarah Fien, lead investigator, said the incident will now be used for training purposes by the Far North Freefall Club, which has also made carrying hook knives mandatory for all divers.
