00:00The ATSB's final report into the premature parachute opening involving a Cessna 208
00:05caravan highlights the importance for parachutists to be mindful of their handles,
00:10particularly when exiting the aircraft. On the morning of the 20th of September 2025,
00:15a Cessna 208 took off from Tully Airport in far north Queensland to conduct parachute operations
00:20with 17 parachutists on board. After the aircraft climbed to about 15,000 feet,
00:26the pilot signaled to the parachutists to exit. A camera operator stepped out onto a small step
00:31and held onto the fuselage aft of the cabin door. As the first parachutist stepped out of the door
00:37to assume the most forward front float position, their reserve parachute inadvertently deployed,
00:42dragging the parachutist backwards and dislodging the camera operator into free fall.
00:48The parachutist's legs were injured as they struck and damaged the aircraft's horizontal stabiliser.
00:53Their canopy wrapped around the horizontal stabiliser and the elevator,
00:56suspending them beneath the aircraft. Thirteen skydivers exited the aircraft and two remained
01:02in the doorway, watching as the parachutist used a hook knife to cut sufficient reserve parachute
01:07lines to enable the parachute to tear free. The parachutist then deployed their main parachute,
01:14which tangled with the remnants of the reserve canopy. However, they were able to untangle the lines
01:20and regain sufficient control of the main parachute to land without further incident. Despite control
01:25difficulties due to substantial damage to the horizontal stabiliser and part of the reserve
01:30canopy wrapped around the tail, the pilot safely landed the aircraft back at Tully Airport.
01:35The ATSB's investigation found that as the first parachutist climbed out of the aircraft
01:40and into the front float position, their reserve handle snagged on the aircraft's flap,
01:44resulting in the deployment of the reserve parachute. Although not contributing to the accident,
01:50the investigation also found the pilot and aircraft operator did not ensure the aircraft
01:54was loaded within its weight and balance envelope. Investigator in charge, Sarah Fein,
01:59said the parachutist had clipped open the roller door before exiting the aircraft, increasing safety for
02:04the pilot. As a result, the roller door remained open during the descent, increasing the ease with which the
02:10pilot could have exited the aircraft if they needed to. And although not mandatory at the time of the
02:14accident, the parachuters had a hook knife attached to their chest strap, enabling them to cut enough
02:19reserve parachute lines for the parachute to tear free of the tailplane. This accident highlights the
02:25importance of parachuters being mindful of their handles, particularly when exiting the aircraft.
02:29Carrying a hook knife secured to the parachute container could be life-saving in the event of a
02:35premature reserve parachute deployment. This investigation is also a reminder for pilots
02:40conducting parachute operations of the importance of wearing an emergency parachute and knowing how
02:46to deploy it. Parachute aircraft operators should also ensure, where possible, that there is a suitable
02:52open door for the pilot to exit in the event of an irretrievable loss of aircraft control.
02:57You can read the final report by searching AO-2025-057 on the ATSB's website, by the link below, or via the link in our bio.
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