Life-and-death skydiving emergency: Jumper cuts free while pilot fights to land plane
A routine skydive turned into a terrifying emergency when a jumper’s reserve chute wrapped around a plane, leaving him dangling in mid-air.
A skydiver fought for his life when his reserve chute accidentally deployed and became tangled around the tail of a plane, forcing a dramatic emergency landing during a jump in Far North Queensland.
The dramatic mid-air emergency unfolded on September 20, 2025, shortly after the Cessna Caravan departed Tully Airport with a pilot and 17 parachutists on board for a planned 16-way formation skydive from 15,000 feet, filmed by a camera operator.
According to a newly released Australian Transport and Safety Bureau (ATSB) report, it was the third load of the day for the Far North Freefall Club (FNFF), with the incident occurring at about 10am.
At altitude, the pilot slowed the Cessna to 85 knots and signalled for the jump to begin. But as the first skydiver moved through the roller door, the handle of their reserve parachute snagged on the wing flap, triggering an unintended deployment.
The reserve pilot chute was pulled free as the skydiver climbed to safety.
The sudden force dragged the skydiver backwards, slamming their legs into the aircraft’s left horizontal stabiliser and causing substantial damage before the reserve chute wrapped itself around part of the back of the plane, leaving the parachutist hanging beneath the aircraft.
The deployed chute also struck the on-board camera operator, dislodging them into freefall and causing a minor injury.
ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said the pilot recalled feeling the aircraft suddenly pitch up, and observed the airspeed rapidly decreasing.
“Initially unaware of what had occurred, the pilot believed the aircraft had stalled, and pushed forward on the control column and applied some power in response. But upon being told there was a skydiver hung up on the tailplane, they reduced power again,” Mr Mitchell said.
The pilot reported violent control vibrations and said significant forward pressure and input were required just to keep the plane straight and level.
The bureau found the forward trim became jammed for the remainder of the flight.
As the crippled aircraft shuddered through the sky, 13 parachutists bailed out, while two stayed in the doorway watching the stranded skydiver fight to free themselves.
Shocking footage captured during the emergency shows the moment the chute snags, the tailplane buckles, and the skydiver hangs beneath the aircraft as the pilot fights to keep it airborne.
Dangling in the slipstream, the parachutist used a hook knife to cut 11 lines from the reserve canopy, eventually freeing the tattered material from the tail.
The skydiver, an experienced jumper with more than 2000 skydives, cut the lines in just 50 seconds despite significant difficulty.
Dropping into freefall, they then deployed their main parachute, despite it becoming tangled in the remnants of the reserve, and incredibly landed with only minor injuries.
They later reported cuts and bruising to their lower legs.
“With all parachutists out of the aircraft, the pilot assessed they had limited pitch control, given the substantially damaged tailplane, which still had a portion of the reserve parachute wrapped around it,” Mr Mitchell said.
“With forward pressure they found they could achieve a gradual descent, and retracted the flap, which then allowed slightly more rudder, aileron and elevator control.”
Maintaining about 120 knots, the pilot declared a mayday to Brisbane Centre, advising they had minimal control and prepared to bail out if the aircraft became unflyable.
Jump pilots are equipped with their own parachute in case of such emergencies.
But passing 2500 feet, they judged they could attempt a landing.
“In difficult circumstances, the pilot managed to control the aircraft and land safely at Tully,” Mr Mitchell said.
He said the incident highlights the need for skydivers to stay vigilant around their parachute handles when exiting the aircraft.
“Carrying a hook knife, although it is not a regulatory requirement, could be lifesaving in the event of a premature reserve parachute deployment.”
The investigation also found the aircraft was not loaded within its weight and balance limits, though this did not contribute to the near-disaster.
FNFF’s manifest software calculated weight, but not centre of gravity, meaning the aircraft departed outside its weight and balance ranges.
The report also identified a second risk factor that the pilot did not use supplemental oxygen despite operating at or above Flight Level 140, as required by regulation, raising the threat of hypoxia.
“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,” Mr Mitchell said.
In response to the near-disaster, FNFF has since mandated hook knives for all jumpers, updated its loadmaster checklist, revised safety procedures, and issued oxygen reminders to pilots.
The Australian Parachute Federation is now developing a comprehensive loadmaster guide and new emergency-response training resources.
The footage of the incident will be incorporated into new nationwide training material for parachutists and loadmasters.
The Tully incident also echoes one of Australia’s worst skydiving tragedies, the 2001 Nagambie accident that killed experienced jumper Simon Moline.
His reserve canopy also deployed prematurely as he exited a Cessna Caravan, wrapping around the tail and tearing part of it from the aircraft.
Pilot Barry Dawson kept the crippled plane stable long enough for other skydivers to escape before he barely jumped clear himself, moments before it crashed nose-first into the ground.
Mr Moline, still entangled in the tail, did not survive.
