Skydiver Dangling at 15,000 Feet After Parachute Catches on Plane Tail

Mid-Air Parachute Malfunction

• 🪂 A skydiver's reserve parachute inadvertently deployed shortly after exiting the aircraft.
• ⚠️ The deployed parachute dragged the skydiver backwards, causing their legs to strike and damage the aircraft's horizontal stabilizer.
• 🔗 The parachute canopy became wrapped around the horizontal stabilizer and elevator, suspending the skydiver beneath the plane at approximately 15,000 feet.

Rescue and Landing

• 🔪 The skydiver, Adrian Ferguson, used a hook knife attached to their chest strap to cut sufficient reserve parachute lines.
• 🧩 This action allowed the parachute to tear free, after which the skydiver deployed their main parachute.
• 🛬 The pilot was able to safely land the aircraft back at Tully Airport due to the damage to the horizontal stabilizer and the pilot's ability to manage the situation. -🩹 The skydiver sustained only minor leg injuries during the incident.