Skydiver Snags Reserve Parachute on Plane Tail in Queensland Jump

A skydiver narrowly escaped disaster during a formation jump in Far North Queensland when their reserve parachute accidentally deployed and tangled around the tail of the aircraft, forcing the pilot into an emergency landing, according to a report released Thursday by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.

The incident occurred on September 20 near Tully Airport, about 142 kilometers south of Cairns. A Cessna Caravan carried a pilot, 17 parachutists and a camera operator for the third load of the day organized by the Far North Freefall Club. The group planned a 16-way formation skydive from 15,000 feet, or about 4,600 meters. At around 10 a.m., with the plane slowed to 85 knots, the first skydiver moved toward the exit. As they climbed out the side door, the handle of their reserve parachute snagged on the wing flap, triggering an unintended deployment.

The force pulled the skydiver backward, slamming their legs into the aircraft's left horizontal stabilizer and causing substantial damage. The orange reserve canopy wrapped around the tail, leaving the parachutist dangling thousands of meters above the ground in the slipstream. The deployment also struck the camera operator, who...