Overview
- The Australian Transport Safety Bureau published investigation footage in December from a September 20 jump over Tully near Cairns at about 4,500 meters from a Cessna Caravan.
- Investigators say the reserve handle caught on the aircraft during exit, triggering a premature deployment that left the parachutist hanging from the tailplane area.
- The jumper used a hook knife attached to his chest strap to cut enough of the 11 reserve lines to detach from the aircraft.
- He then re-entered free fall, deployed his main canopy, and landed with minor injuries; local reporting identified him as Adrian Ferguson.
- ATSB paired the footage with safety reminders stressing access to cutting tools and strong reserve-procedure training for pilots and jump operators, with the video filmed by Jarrad Nolan.