AUSTRALIA — Authorities in Australia have released a report and video footage documenting a dramatic skydiving incident in which a man’s parachute deployed prematurely just as he was preparing to exit an aircraft. The video shows the skydiver quickly using a hook knife to cut away the lines of his back-up parachute, allowing him to stabilize and reach the ground safely.
The footage, released by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), captures the tense moments after the jumper becomes partially entangled while still near the aircraft and gear lines. In the video, the man can be seen acting decisively, cutting cords attached to the reserve parachute system in order to prevent a more dangerous entanglement and regain control during descent.
What happened
According to the ATSB’s report, the incident involved a premature parachute opening that occurred just as the man was about to jump. In skydiving, timing and gear configuration are critical—when a parachute inflates unexpectedly at the aircraft door or before a clean exit, the resulting drag and line tension can create a serious emergency scenario.
In this case, officials said the jumper was able to use a cutting tool—commonly called a hook knife—to cut away components of the reserve system and descend safely.
Why it matters to skydivers
While incidents like this are rare, experienced instructors emphasize that emergency preparedness is part of the sport. Many jumpers carry hook knives as part of their kit for exactly this reason: to quickly cut lines if entanglement becomes life-threatening.
The ATSB-released footage has gained attention worldwide because it shows a real-world example of quick problem-solving under pressure—and highlights why equipment checks, exit procedures, and emergency training are foundational for safe operations.
Safety takeaways
Safety experts point to a few key lessons from the event:
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Premature deployments can happen, especially during gear movement near the aircraft door.
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Line entanglement risk rises sharply when a canopy inflates close to the aircraft.
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Emergency tools and training matter — a hook knife is a small piece of gear, but it can be critical in rare scenarios.
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Calm decision-making saves lives — the jumper’s immediate action likely prevented a worse outcome.
