A skydiver had a close call when his reserve parachute unexpectedly deployed and became ensnared on the tail of an airplane mid-flight. Against the odds, he managed to survive the ordeal.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau detailed the incident, revealing that the “reserve handle snagged on the aircraft’s flap, leading to the deployment of the reserve parachute.”
Captured on video in September, the dramatic scene shows the parachute opening, causing the skydiver to collide with the aircraft’s tail and become suspended as the chute tangled with the plane.
The skydiver’s reserve parachute inadvertently deployed in Australia. (Courtesy of Australian Transport Safety Bureau via Storyful)
“The reserve parachute wrapped around the left horizontal stabiliser and elevator, deflating as the skydiver’s lower legs hit the stabiliser,” the ATSB reported, noting that he “ended up hanging beneath the tailplane.”
Fortunately, the skydiver was able to use a hook knife to sever the parachute lines and free himself.
“The reserve parachute then tore, releasing” the person “from the aircraft with part of the reserve remaining on the aircraft’s tail,” the ATSB report notes.
A skydiver’s reserve chute catches onto the aircraft, leaving him dangling in the air. (Australian Transport Safety Bureau via Storyful)
After breaking free of the aircraft, the skydiver was able to deploy the main parachute and land — though not without facing some complications.
The ATSB report states that “during the main parachute deployment, the remaining reserve parachute lines twisted around the main parachute lines. Additionally, during the opening sequence, the right brake toggle of the main parachute released.”
“The main parachute fully inflated with line twists, and after initially turning right, commenced a rapid left turn. After several rotations,” the skydiver “grabbed and pulled on the right brake line above the line twists to arrest the turn. The parachute stopped turning, and” the individual “was able to unwind the line twists and release the left brake toggle. Passing about 8,000 ft, the main parachute lines fully unwound from the reserve parachute lines and functioned normally for the remainder of the descent.”
The skydiver managed to use a hook knife to sever the lines of the mistakenly deployed reserve chute. (Australian Transport Safety Bureau via Storyful)
The pilot managed to land the damaged airplane, according to the ATSB, which noted that the skydiver “landed 9 seconds later with minor lacerations and bruising to their left lower leg and a deep gash to their right lower leg.”
