A skydiver survived a harrowing jump after their parachute was caught on a plane wing, leaving them dangling in the air, the Australian Transport Safety Bureau said in a report released Thursday.
The incident happened in Queensland, Australia, during a flight on Sept. 20 for parachutists who planned to jumpin a 16-way formation from the Cessna 208, according to a report released by the safety bureau. None of the divers were named in the report.
The report and footage from a camera attached to the plane, released by investigators, showed the first parachutist preparing to jump when the handle of their reserve parachute snagged on the flap of the plane’s left wing, causing it to deploy. That parachutist knocked another into free fall and got caught on a horizontal stabilizer on the tail of the aircraft.
The person dangled off the plane, which was at an altitude of about 15,000 feet, as the pilot maneuvered to keep the aircraft stable. As this was happening, 13 parachutists jumped out of the plane past the person, who was cutting the lines attaching them to the snagged reserve parachute.
After cutting free, the person deployed their main parachute, de-tangled it from remnants of the reserve parachute, and landed safely. The person, who had jumped more than 2,000 times over 21 years, had minor injuries after hitting their legs against the side of the plane.
Two remaining sky divers watched the person cut themselves free and then jumped too.
Everyone landed safely, including a parachuting camera operator who was knocked off the plane and sent into free fall as the first parachutist got caught. The operator, who was going to document the planned formation, had been holding onto the fuselage outside the cabin door and was dislodged. They landed first, sustaining a minor shoulder injury.
The pilot did not know what was happening at first, according to the report, but felt the plane suddenly pitch up and saw that it was slowing sharply. The pilot, who was wearing an emergency parachute, took steps to make sure the plane stayed level and considered bailing out of the aircraft after the others had exited, but landed it safely.
In its report, the safety bureau faulted the pilot and aircraft operator for not making certain that the plane was loaded properly for weight and balance, though it said that did not contribute to the accident.
There were also several things that went right: the door was clipped open by the parachutists, which made it easier for the pilot to exit if needed; the pilot was able to land safely even though the plane was more difficult to control because it was damaged in the incident; and the caught parachutist had a hook knife attached to their chest, allowing them to cut 11 lines from the reserve parachute in 50 seconds.
The flight was conducted for Far North Freefall Club at Tully Airport in Queensland and was the third parachute drop from that plane that morning. The club directed questions to the Australian Parachute Federation chief executive, Stephen Porter, who could not immediately be reached for comment on Thursday.
Mr. Porter said the situation was “unique and extreme” in an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Mr. Porter praised the caught sky diver’s experience and “calmness and ability to assess the situation.”
Mr. Porter also credited the pilot, who he said had recently reviewed emergency procedures and “was prepared, and able to calmly assess the situation and make quick decisions under pressure,” Mr. Porter said.
The safety bureau’s report said the Far North Freefall Club is now requiring all parachutists to carry a hook knife and has taken steps to make sure planes are loaded correctly.
Amanda Holpuch covers breaking news and other topics.
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