A skydiving incident occurred on September 20, 2025, over Tully Airport in Far North Queensland, Australia, when a skydiver’s reserve parachute deployed prematurely. This unexpected activation caused the parachute to wrap around the left horizontal stabilizer of the aircraft, leaving the skydiver dangling approximately 15,000 feet in the air. The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) released a video documenting the event.
The skydiver successfully used a hook knife to cut most of the cords of the reserve parachute before free-falling. He then deployed his main parachute and landed safely with only minor injuries. The pilot had prepared to evacuate using an emergency parachute but opted to land the plane after assessing the situation from 2,500 feet.
The ATSB noted that the pilot managed to land the aircraft safely, with some of the reserve parachute still attached. Former Navy SEAL Jimmy Hatch commented positively on the skydiver’s quick response and the pilot’s safe landing during an interview with CNN.
- Why it matters: Incidents like this serve as reminders of the risks involved in extreme sports and the importance of training for emergency situations, affecting both recreational participants and operators in the skydiving industry.
- The latest: The ATSB continues to investigate the incident to further understand safety protocols in skydiving operations.
Source: https://www.geo.tv/latest/638916-skydiver-dangling-15000-feet-after-parachute-snags-plane-in-terrifying-viral-video
Source: https://www.geo.tv/latest/638916-skydiver-dangling-15000-feet-after-parachute-snags-plane-in-terrifying-viral-video