Skydiver Survives Hanging Under Plane: Shocking Video of Incident.

According to ТСН: The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) has released shocking video footage of an incident that occurred in Far North Queensland. The footage shows a skydiver fighting for his life after unexpectedly getting tangled under a plane following the deployment of his reserve parachute.

Detonation in the Air

This incident occurred during the third jump of the Far North skydiving club on September 20. A Cessna Caravan with 17 skydivers took off from Tully Airport for a planned jump from 15,000 feet.

However, as the first skydiver began to exit, the handle of his reserve parachute got caught on the wing flap, leading to the sudden and unintentional deployment of the canopy. This sent the skydiver backward, his legs hitting the plane's horizontal stabilizer, injuring him and significantly damaging the aircraft. The reserve parachute became tangled around the tail, and the jumper was left hanging under the plane.

Heroism in the Air and on the Ground

The pilot initially didn't realize the seriousness of the situation, noticing only the drop in speed and the need to exert more effort to control the plane. After being informed about the skydiver hanging beneath the tail, he managed to partially stabilize the controls.

The skydiver, with over 2,000 jumps, used a hook knife to cut 11 suspension lines and free himself from the tangled canopy in less than a minute. He transitioned into freefall, deployed his main parachute, managed the remains of the reserve parachute, and landed safely with only cuts and bruises to his legs.

The pilot was able to land the aircraft safely despite the damage. ATSB Commissioner Angus Mitchell emphasized that this incident highlights the critical importance of vigilance among skydivers during exit. Following this incident, the Far North club has implemented mandatory hook knife carry for all jumpers and updated its safety procedures.

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of safety in high-risk sports like skydiving. Efforts aimed at improving safety can save lives and prevent similar situations in the future.