Skydiver Left Dangling at 15,000 Feet After Parachute Snags on Aircraft, Survives Dramatic Ordeal

Cairns, Australia: A skydiver narrowly escaped death after being left dangling at an altitude of nearly 15,000 feet when his parachute became entangled with the aircraft shortly after he jumped. The alarming incident, which was captured on camera, has been detailed in a report released by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB).

According to the ATSB, the skydiver’s reserve parachute was inadvertently deployed and became snagged on the aircraft’s wing flap moments after the jump, leaving him suspended from the plane’s tail section at high altitude. The video footage shows the jumper being violently flung backward as the orange reserve parachute wrapped around the wing, creating a life-threatening situation mid-air.

A skydiver narrowly escaped death after being left dangling at an altitude of nearly 15,000 feet when his parachute became entangled with the aircraft shortly after he jumped. pic.twitter.com/HMFfP5RTjh

— Loka samasta Sukhino Bhavantu (@unnikutan77) December 13, 2025

The incident occurred in September south of Cairns during a planned stunt jump but came to public attention only after the completion of the safety bureau’s investigation. The aircraft had taken off on September 20 with a pilot and 17 parachutists on board, who were attempting to film a 16-way formation skydive. Chaos ensued when the first participant exited the aircraft.

Investigators found that the handle of the first skydiver’s reserve parachute became caught on the wing flap, triggering an unintended deployment. The force of the opening parachute knocked a camera operator, who was positioned at the aircraft’s exit, out of the plane. Footage shows the skydiver momentarily frozen in shock, clutching his helmet as he struggled to assess the situation.

Demonstrating presence of mind, the skydiver used a hook knife to cut the tangled parachute lines, freeing himself from the aircraft. He then successfully deployed his main parachute and landed safely on the ground.

The ATSB reported that the pilot was initially unaware of the cause of the disturbance and believed the aircraft had stalled. It was only later that the pilot was informed that a skydiver was hanging from the tail. The aircraft sustained substantial damage to its tail section, and the pilot experienced limited control during the incident. A mayday call was issued before the aircraft was eventually landed safely.

ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell noted that while carrying a hook knife is not a regulatory requirement, it can be critical in emergency situations. “A hook knife could be lifesaving in the event of a premature reserve parachute deployment,” he said.

The incident has prompted renewed attention on safety protocols during complex formation skydives, highlighting the importance of emergency preparedness and situational awareness during high-risk aerial operations.