Skydiver Dangles from Plane at 15,000 Feet, Cuts Himself Free in Harrowing Mid-Air Ordeal
Australian skydiver Adrian Ferguson survived a terrifying September 20 incident over Tully Airport, Queensland. His parachute snagged on a plane's tail at 15,000 feet, forcing him to cut free.
USA TODAYVideo shows tangled skydiver dangling from plane at 15,000 feet
HuffPostCaught On Video: Skydiver Dangles At 15,000 Feet After Parachute Catches On Plane's Tail In Australia
Boston GlobeSkydiver dangles at 15,000 feet after parachute catches on plane's tail in Australia
CBS NewsSkydiver dangles from plane in midair after parachute mishap in Australia, video shows
FOX NewsSkydiver survives after reserve parachute accidentally deploys, leaving him dangling from flying airplane
Overview
On September 20, over Tully Airport, Queensland, skydiver Adrian Ferguson's reserve parachute snagged on a Cessna Caravan's tail during a planned 16-way formation jump.
Ferguson was left dangling precariously at 15,000 feet after his legs struck the plane's horizontal stabilizer, causing his chute to tangle around it.
Using a hook knife, Adrian Ferguson bravely cut 11 parachute lines to free himself from the entangled aircraft, sustaining only minor leg injuries.
The pilot of the Cessna Caravan issued a mayday call while struggling to control the plane with the entangled parachute, but Brisbane air traffic authorities cleared him to land.
Despite the damaged main parachute and remnants of the reserve chute, Ferguson successfully deployed his main parachute and landed safely, while all 16 other parachutists and the pilot were unharmed.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover this story neutrally, focusing on factual reporting of a dramatic skydiving incident. They detail the sequence of events, the cause identified by the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, and the skydiver's actions to resolve the dangerous situation. The coverage avoids loaded language or selective emphasis, presenting a straightforward account of the mishap and its resolution.