Skydiver hangs from plane at 15,000ft: Video of miraculous escape released

 

 

The Australian Transport Safety Bureau has released shocking footage of a skydiver hanging from the tail of a plane at an altitude of 15,000ft above Tully Airport in Queensland. The incident took place during a skydiving trip in September.

The accident occurred when the skydiver's parachute handle accidentally opened while exiting the plane, hitting the wing of the plane. The parachute became entangled in the plane within seconds and the skydiver was left hanging behind the plane due to the force of the wind. The plane suffered significant damage in the accident and the pilot made a 'mayday' call.

Skydiver Adrian Ferguson, who was hanging from the plane, escaped by cutting 11 lines of his tangled parachute using a hook knife. He then opened his main parachute and landed safely. Apart from minor injuries to his leg during the safe landing, the skydiver was not seriously injured. Although he partially lost control of the plane, the experienced pilot landed the plane safely. The ATSB said in its investigation report that having a hook knife can help save lives in such emergencies.