NORTH QUEENSLAND, AUSTRALIA – A terrifying mid-air emergency was caught on camera when a skydiver’s parachute snagged on a plane's tail, leaving him dangling 15,000 feet above the Australian coast. The man was forced to cut himself loose with a knife while the pilot struggled to keep the stalling aircraft under control.
High-Altitude Nightmare
The incident occurred on September 20 over Tully Airport with the Far North Freefall Club. As the skydiver climbed out of the Cessna Caravan to prepare for his jump, the handle of his reserve parachute accidentally hooked onto a partially extended wing flap.
The chute deployed instantly, entangling with the aircraft’s tail stabilizer. Video released by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) shows the man twisting and flailing desperately behind the speeding jet as the entanglement damaged the plane's structure.
Distress Call from Cockpit
Inside the cockpit, the pilot felt the aircraft suddenly pitch up and saw his airspeed plummet. Unaware that a man was hanging off the tail, he believed the plane had stalled and pushed the controls forward to regain speed. Thirteen other parachutists on board immediately bailed out for safety.
Two others remained behind while the trapped skydiver frantically used a knife to cut 11 lines from his reserve chute. The tension finally caused the chute to tear, freeing him from the aircraft. He then deployed his main parachute and floated to the ground, suffering only minor injuries.
A Safe Landing
The danger wasn't over for the pilot, who declared a "mayday" distress call and prepared to bail out himself. However, after descending about 2,500 feet, he regained enough control to land the plane safely.
ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell credited the quick thinking of those involved for preventing a catastrophe. The dramatic footage was captured by a camera operator who was one of the 17 people on board.
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