Video shows skydiver’s miracle escape after chute caught on plane

Ferguson’s legs hit the left horizontal stabiliser, damaging it, followed by his chute wrapping around the stabiliser and suspending him underneath the Cessna, which was carrying the pilot and 15 other parachutists – a 16th having been knocked into freefall by Ferguson as he went past.

“The pilot recalled feeling the aircraft suddenly pitch up, and observed the airspeed rapidly decreasing,” ATSB chief commissioner Angus Mitchell said.

“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.”

As Ferguson used a hook knife to cut through 11 parachute lines to free himself, 13 of the remaining jumpers left the aircraft, while two remained in the doorway watching; after he cut himself free, the last two also exited the plane.

Despite Ferguson’s main chute becoming tangled in the leftover lines and canopy of the reserve, he was able to deploy it successfully and safely return to the ground, having suffered minor injuries.

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The pilot, meanwhile, opted against abandoning the plane with their own parachute, assessing at around 2,500 feet that they would be able to land.

“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,” Mitchell said.

“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. In difficult circumstances, the pilot managed to control the aircraft and land safely at Tully.”

According to Mitchell, the incident shows why parachutists should watch their handles while exiting an aircraft; in addition, while it did not contribute to the accident, the pilot and operator “did not ensure the aircraft was loaded within its weight and balance envelope”.

“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.

“Fatal parachuting accidents have occurred in the past due to aircraft being loaded outside centre of gravity limits, which highlights the importance of conducting aircraft weight and balance calculations prior to each load.”