Parachute Snags on Plane Wing Mid-Jump: Skydiver Hangs at 15,000 Feet in Heart-Stopping Ordeal

Canberra: A skydiving stunt in Australia turned into a near-tragedy when a parachute got entangled in a plane’s wing mid-jump, leaving the skydiver dangling thousands of feet above the ground. The incident occurred during a 16-way formation jump being filmed with 17 parachutists.

Adrian Ferguson, the skydiver involved, became trapped in the wing flap immediately after exiting the plane. Fellow skydivers watched in alarm as Ferguson swung perilously in mid-air at an altitude of 4,500 meters (15,000 feet).

Dramatic Rescue in Mid-Air

Ferguson managed to save himself by using a hook knife to cut his reserve parachute, which had snagged on the aircraft, and then freeing the main parachute. He carefully cut 11 suspension lines to detach from the damaged chute and safely descended to the ground, averting what could have been a major disaster. Ferguson sustained only minor injuries.

Incident Details

The accident occurred on 20 September at Tully Airport in Queensland. The jump was part of a coordinated stunt, with all 16 skydivers aiming to link hands in a chain mid-air. Ferguson’s reserve parachute became caught on the plane’s wing flap immediately after leaving the aircraft. Using quick thinking and his hook knife, he successfully detached and deployed his main parachute.

Pilot’s Quick Thinking

The pilot, showing exceptional composure, called an emergency and prepared to don a parachute if needed. Brisbane Air Traffic Authorities confirmed that the pilot maintained control and safely landed the plane in Tully, preventing any further complications.

Angus Mitchell, Chief Commissioner of the Bureau, noted that carrying a hook knife can be lifesaving if a reserve parachute deploys prematurely, although it is not a regulatory requirement.

The harrowing footage of Ferguson swinging in mid-air has since gone viral, leaving viewers both amazed and terrified at the skydiver’s presence of mind and courage.