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Date:
Saturday 20 September 2025
Time:
10:02
Type of Aircraft:
Cessna 208 Caravan I (Silhouette image of generic C208 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different)
Owner/Operator:
Far North Freefall Club
Registration:
VH-DVS
MSN:
20800131
Year of Manufacture:
1988
Engine Model:
Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-114A
Fatalities:
0 / Occupants: 18
Other Fatalities:
0
Aircraft Damage:
Substantial, repaired
Category:
Accident
Location:
Tully Airport (YTUY), QLD – Australia
Phase:
Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.)
Nature:
Parachuting
Departure Airport:
Tully Airport (YTUY)
Destination Airport:
Tully Airport (YTUY)
Investigating Agency:
ATSB
Confidence Rating:
Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Circumstances:
The aircraft was conducting parachuting operations for the Far North Freefall Club at Tully Airport. After completing two parachute drops earlier in the morning, the aircraft departed for a third sortie with 17 parachutists and a parachuting camera operator on board.
After climbing to approximately 15,000 ft, the pilot signalled for the parachutists to exit. As the first parachutist moved into position at the cabin door, the parachutist’s reserve parachute deployed and became entangled with the aircraft. The camera operator was dislodged into freefall and sustained minor injuries, while the parachutist’s legs struck the aircraft’s horizontal stabiliser.
The reserve parachute became wrapped around the horizontal stabiliser and elevator, suspending the parachutist beneath the tail. Other parachutists exited the aircraft, and the suspended parachutist cut lines to free the reserve parachute before deploying the main parachute and landing safely.
Despite control difficulties associated with damage to the horizontal stabiliser and residual parachute material on the tail, the pilot was able to maintain control and land the aircraft safely at Tully Airport. The aircraft sustained substantial damage and was later repaired.
Sources:
ATSB
Carter Capner Law monitors accidents involving light aircraft, helicopters, charter flights, balloons, commuter aircraft and airlines throughout Australia and overseas to spotlight safety issues of concern to our clients and to demonstrate those situations in which they may have a right to an insurance or compensation recovery. We act for pilots, passengers, operators, aircraft owners and aviation employees worldwide. Call today on 1300 529 529 or click here to reach Carter Capner Law. Click on Client Showcase to view our history of aircraft accident compensation claims.