WATCH: Skydiver dangles from Cessna Caravan after parachute snags on tail

A pilot was forced to make significant control inputs to keep a Cessna 208 Caravan level after a skydiver's reserve parachute became entangled on the aircraft's tail. It happened earlier this year during a jump run over Tully Airport (2FD6) in Far North Queensland, Australia. Video from the plane and a reconstructed simulation created by engineers lay out how the adrenaline-loaded event unfolded, second after riveting second. The aircraft departed Tully on Sept. 20 to conduct parachute operations for the Far North Freefall Club, according to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, carrying a pilot and 17 parachutists preparing for a 16-person formation jump from 15,000 feet. The aircraft had already completed two successful parachute drops that morning.Once the aircraft reached altitude, the pilot slowed to about 85 knots, extended 10 degrees of flap, and signaled for the jump to begin. The jump was supposed to be filmed by a camera operator holding onto the fuselage, aft of the cabin door. As the first parachutist climbed out of the aircraft's roller door, the handle of the reserve parachute snagged on the wing flap, causing the parachute to deploy prematurely. The parachute dragged the parachutist backward, hitting the horizontal stabilizer and leaving the parachutist dangling beneath the aircraft, according to an ATSB report published on Thursday. The impact also dislodged the camera operator into freefall. "The pilot recalled feeling the aircraft suddenly pitch up and observed the airspeed rapidly decreasing," ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell stated. The pilot reported strong control vibrations and said significant forward pressure and right aileron input were required to maintain straight and level flight. During the incident, 13 parachutists exited the aircraft. Two remained in the doorway and watched as the struck parachutist cut 11 lines from the reserve parachute with a hook knife. The parachutist was separated from the aircraft and deployed a main parachute, landing safely with minor injuries, according to the ATSB. With all parachutists clear, the pilot assessed that the aircraft had limited pitch control due to the damaged tail, which still had part of the reserve parachute wrapped around it. (Source: Adrian Ferguson)"With forward pressure, they found they could achieve a gradual descent, and retracted the flap, which then allowed slightly more rudder, aileron and elevator control," Mitchell said. The pilot maintained an airspeed of about 120 knots during the descent and declared a MAYDAY to Brisbane air traffic control, advising of minimal control authority. The pilot, who was wearing an emergency parachute, prepared to bail out if control deteriorated but, at about 2,500 feet, determined that a landing was possible. "In difficult circumstances, the pilot managed to control the aircraft and land safely at Tully," Mitchell said. The ATSB said the incident highlights the importance of parachutists being mindful of parachute handles during aircraft exits. "Carrying a hook knife, although it is not a regulatory requirement, could be lifesaving in the event of a premature reserve parachute deployment," Mitchell said. The investigation also found that, while not contributing to the accident, the pilot and operator did not ensure the aircraft was loaded within its approved weight and balance limits. "Fatal parachuting accidents have occurred in the past due to aircraft being loaded outside center-of-gravity limits," Mitchell said, emphasizing the need for weight and balance calculations before each flight. The accident jump was the parachutist's 2,013th over 21 years.