Skydiver Saved by Hook Knife After Parachute Snags Plane at 15,000 Ft

New Delhi, December 12, 2025: A heart-stopping video clip documenting the terrifying moment an experienced skydiver was left dangling precariously from the tail of an aircraft at an altitude of approximately 15,000 feet has achieved massive viral circulation. The incident, which occurred during a planned formation jump over Queensland, Australia, was narrowly averted after the quick-thinking jumper used a small hook knife to cut himself free, underscoring the critical importance of emergency equipment.

Reserve Chute Is Accidentally Activated

The widely circulated footage, which was released by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) as part of its official investigation, shows the skydiver preparing to exit the aircraft—a Cessna Caravan—at an altitude of 15,000 feet (4,600 meters). The incident unfolded when the handle of the reserve parachute snagged on the plane’s wing flap as the jumper was moving toward the exit door, causing the reserve chute to deploy prematurely.

The sudden deployment violently flung the parachutist backward, causing their legs to strike the aircraft and resulting in the orange canopy becoming tightly entangled around the plane’s horizontal stabilizer (tail fin). The skydiver was instantly suspended below the aircraft, caught in a life-threatening, helpless position several kilometers above the ground.

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Hook Knife Becomes the Last Resort

While hanging precariously from the moving aircraft, the skydiver, showing remarkable composure under extreme duress, was observed reaching for a personal emergency tool. A hook knife, which was carried on the skydiver’s rig but was not a mandatory piece of equipment at the time, was utilized to initiate the desperate self-rescue.

Meticulously, the parachutist was seen cutting 11 lines of the entangled reserve parachute until the remaining rigging tore, successfully freeing the individual from the plane. Once detached, the skydiver entered a freefall and was able to deploy the main parachute, which, despite becoming slightly tangled in the remnants of the reserve chute, fully inflated. The jumper then descended safely, sustaining only minor cuts and bruises to the legs.

Pilot Issues Mayday and Safety Is Reviewed

The terrifying event also created an immediate emergency inside the aircraft. The pilot reported feeling the plane suddenly pitch up and violently vibrate, forcing them to issue a Mayday call after being informed of the severity of the tail damage. Despite the compromised control, the pilot successfully managed to land the aircraft safely at Tully Airport.

The ATSB’s subsequent investigation highlighted the necessity of carrying a hook knife, with Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell emphasizing that the tool, though not regulatory, was “lifesaving in the event of a premature reserve parachute deployment.” The incident has since been used to inform updated safety guidelines and training programs, stressing the need for skydivers to be keenly aware of their chute handles when exiting aircraft.