A dramatic skydiving video has gone viral online a jumper dangling 15,000 feet above the ground after a parachute malfunction. His reserve parachute accidentally deployed early while he was still in the aircraft. The canopy then wrapped around the plane’s left horizontal stabiliser, forcing him out.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) released the footage of the incident. The event occurred on September 20, 2025, at Tully Airport in Queensland. The video shows the skydiver taking decisive action to save himself. He used a hook knife to cut the cords connecting him to the snagged parachute.
The jumper successfully severed the majority of the lines. He then entered a free fall before deploying his main parachute. According to the ATSB, he landed safely on the ground. He sustained only minor injuries from the harrowing ordeal.
A routine formation jump turned chaotic when a reserve chute snagged on the plane, slamming a skydiver into the tail and leaving him dangling midair. He cut himself free, fought through tangled lines and managed to land with only minor injuries. pic.twitter.com/yqYZfPOnlF
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) December 11, 2025The aircraft’s pilot was also prepared for an emergency. He had an emergency parachute ready and was prepared to bail out. However, descending from 2,500 feet, the pilot assessed the situation. He determined he could land the plane safely despite the partially attached parachute.
Former special operations Navy SEAL Jimmy Hatch analysed the incident for CNN. He stated that while accidents happen in skydiving, this jumper’s response was “spot-on.” “He knew exactly what he needed to do. This is what they train for,” Hatch said. He also commended the pilot for his calm handling of the emergency landing.
The ATSB’s release of the video serves as a powerful safety reminder. It highlights the importance of proper training and emergency equipment, like hook knives. Both the skydiver’s quick thinking and the pilot’s composure prevented a potential tragedy
