Jarrad Nolan/ATSB
NEED TO KNOW
An Australian skydiver found themselves dangling from the underneath of a plane after the reserve parachute they were wearing became tangled in the aircraft's tail end
The incident took place on Sept. 20 near Tully Airport in Far North Queensland, Australia
The skydiver managed to free themselves by cutting the lines of their reserve parachute, after a time in freefall, they were able
A skydiver in Australia was seen on camera dangling from underneath a plane after their reserve parachute became snagged on the aircraft's tail mid-air.
On Sept. 20, a Cessna Caravan and a pilot, hired by Far North Freefall Club (FNFF), took off from Tully Airport in Far North Queensland for a 16-way formation jump run, which had been due to be filmed at 15,000 feet by a parachuting camera operator, per an Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB)media release. The agency also released a video of the incident.
As well as the pilot, the plane had been carrying 17 parachutists at the time of the accident, which occurred after the plane took off at 9:50 a.m. local time, an investigation summary released as part ofthe reportthen confirmed.
After the pilot reached the desired altitude, they signaled for the jump to begin, before the first parachutist's "handle for their reserve parachute snagged on the wing flap, deploying the chute inadvertently" as they were climbing out of the roller door, according to the ATSB's release.
"This dragged the parachutist suddenly backwards, and their legs struck the aircraft's left horizontal [stabilizer], substantially damaging it. The parachute then wrapped around the [stabilizer], suspending the parachutist below the aircraft," the federal agency added.
Jarrad Nolan/ATSB
ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell explained, "The pilot recalled feeling the aircraft suddenly pitch up, and observed the airspeed rapidly decreasing," adding, "Initially unaware of what had occurred, the pilot believed the aircraft had stalled, and pushed forward on the control column and applied some power in response. But upon being told there was a skydiver hung up on the tailplane, they reduced power again."
Thirteen of the parachutists ended up exiting the aircraft, while two remained in the doorway, "watching as the snagged parachutist used a hook knife to cut 11 lines from their reserve parachute, allowing the remaining parachute to tear, freeing them from the aircraft," the release stated.
The parachutist then descended into freefall and was able to release their main parachute, which fully inflated, "despite becoming tangled in the remaining lines and canopy of the reserve chute," the ATSB said. They landed safely, suffering only minor injuries in the incident.
The agency's Chief Commissioner Mitchell said, "With all parachutists out of the aircraft, the pilot assessed they had limited pitch control, given the substantially damaged tailplane, which still had a portion of the reserve parachute wrapped around it," adding, "With forward pressure they found they could achieve a gradual descent, and retracted the flap, which then allowed slightly more rudder, aileron and elevator control."
Jarrad Nolan/ATSB
Mitchell emphasized the importance of parachutists carrying a hook knife and being mindful of their handles, especially when exiting the aircraft during jumps.
"Carrying a hook knife, although it is not a regulatory requirement, could be lifesaving in the event of a premature reserve parachute deployment," he said, per the release.
The pilot, who had been wearing an emergency parachute in case they also had to exit the aircraft, declared a Mayday, but was eventually able to land safely.
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The ATSB's investigation also "found that the pilot and aircraft operator did not ensure the aircraft was loaded within its weight and balance envelope," per the release. However, this did not contribute to the accident.
The ATSB didn't have any additional information to add when contacted by PEOPLE. PEOPLE has also reached out to the Far North Freefall Club for comment, but didn't immediately hear back.
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