Australian Skydiver Survives Harrowing Mid-Air Parachute Malfunction

In a remarkable display of quick thinking and survival instinct, an Australian skydiver escaped death after his reserve parachute accidentally deployed and became entangled with the tail of an aircraft while in flight.

The incident, which occurred in September and was recently documented by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), began when the skydiver’s “reserve handle snagged on the aircraft’s flap, resulting in deployment of the reserve parachute” as he prepared to jump.

Video footage of the terrifying ordeal shows the orange reserve chute deploying prematurely, violently pulling the skydiver into the aircraft’s tail section. The impact was significant, with the ATSB reporting that “the reserve parachute wrapped around the left horizontal stabiliser and elevator and deflated as the skydiver’s lower legs struck the stabiliser.”

Left dangling beneath the aircraft’s tailplane at several thousand feet, the skydiver faced a life-or-death situation that required immediate action. In what aviation safety experts will likely cite as an example of exceptional crisis management, he managed to retrieve a hook knife and cut through the parachute lines that had him tethered to the aircraft.

“The reserve parachute then tore, releasing the skydiver from the aircraft with part of the reserve remaining on the aircraft’s tail,” according to the ATSB report.

But the ordeal wasn’t over. After breaking free from the aircraft, the skydiver still had to safely reach the ground. He deployed his main parachute, only to face new complications when “the remaining reserve parachute lines twisted around the main parachute lines.” Additionally, during deployment, the right brake toggle of the main parachute released unexpectedly.

This created a potentially catastrophic situation as the main parachute “fully inflated with line twists, and after initially turning right, commenced a rapid left turn.” Spinning uncontrollably through the air, the skydiver managed to grab and pull on the right brake line above the twisted section, successfully stopping the rotation.

With remarkable composure, he then “was able to unwind the line twists and release the left brake toggle.” At approximately 8,000 feet, the main parachute lines finally unwound completely from the reserve parachute lines, allowing normal function for the remainder of his descent.

The pilot of the damaged aircraft also displayed exceptional skill, safely landing the plane despite the structural damage caused by the parachute entanglement. The skydiver touched down just nine seconds after the aircraft, sustaining relatively minor injuries considering the severity of the incident – “minor lacerations and bruising to their left lower leg and a deep gash to their right lower leg.”

This incident highlights the inherent risks associated with skydiving, even with proper equipment and training. Australia has a robust recreational skydiving industry, with thousands of jumps conducted each year. The ATSB routinely investigates aviation incidents to improve safety protocols and prevent future accidents.

Equipment malfunctions, while rare, represent one of the most dangerous scenarios in skydiving. Modern parachute systems include both main and reserve chutes specifically to address such emergencies, but as this incident demonstrates, even safety systems can sometimes introduce new complications.

The survival of the skydiver in this case represents not just extraordinary luck, but also the importance of emergency preparedness and training. Most certified skydivers carry hook knives precisely for scenarios like this one, where entanglement threatens their survival.

The ATSB’s detailed report on the incident will likely inform future skydiving safety briefings and equipment design considerations, particularly regarding reserve parachute deployment mechanisms and their potential for snagging on aircraft components.