A skydiver’s reserve parachute became entangled on the tail of a Cessna Caravan during a jump run over Tully Airport in Far North Queensland, forcing the pilot to apply substantial control inputs to keep the aircraft level, according to a final report from the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB).

The incident occurred on 20 September 2025, when the Cessna departed Tully with a pilot and 17 parachutists for a planned 16-way formation jump from 15,000 ft. After reaching altitude, the pilot slowed the aircraft to 85 kt, extended 10 degrees of flap, and signalled for the jump sequence to begin.

As the first skydiver moved to exit through the roller door, the handle of their reserve parachute snagged on the aircraft’s wing flap, triggering an unintentional deployment. The sudden drag pulled the parachutist backward, causing their legs to strike and substantially damage the left horizontal stabiliser. The reserve canopy then wrapped around the stabiliser, leaving the parachutist suspended beneath the aircraft.

ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell said the pilot immediately felt the aircraft pitch up and lose airspeed, with noticeable control vibration. The pilot reported that maintaining straight and level flight required significant forward pressure and right aileron input.

Thirteen parachutists exited the aircraft during the emergency, while two remained at the door observing the situation. The entangled skydiver used a hook knife to cut 11 of the reserve parachute lines, allowing the remaining canopy material to tear away and release them from the aircraft.

Once clear, the parachutist deployed their main parachute, which successfully inflated despite entanglement with remnants of the reserve. They landed safely with only minor injuries. The aircraft returned to Tully with structural damage to the tailplane.