A Chinese paraglider, Peng Yujiang, survived an unplanned flight that lifted him to 8,500 meters above sea level due to an unexpected updraft. The incident, which was captured on camera, highlights the perils of extreme sports and has prompted a review of safety regulations in the country.
Paraglider's Unintended Ascent: A Thrilling Survival Story Above the Qilian Mountains
Paraglider's Unintended Ascent: A Thrilling Survival Story Above the Qilian Mountains
Chinese paraglider Peng Yujiang experiences a harrowing 8,500m-high accidental flight, raising safety concerns and drawing attention to the dangers of extreme sports.
A 55-year-old Chinese paraglider had a life-altering experience when he was accidentally lifted to an altitude of 8,500 meters (27,800 feet) while conducting equipment tests over the Qilian mountains in north-west China. Peng Yujiang was originally 3,000 meters above sea level when he encountered a rare air phenomenon known as a "cloud suck," which propelled him an additional 5,000 meters into perilous icy clouds.
The terrifying ordeal was documented on Mr. Peng's glider-mounted camera and subsequently went viral on Douyin, China's TikTok counterpart. In the footage, Peng is seen struggling with the controls, his body encrusted with ice crystals from the frigid conditions. He described the experience as “terrifying,” noting that visibility was almost zero, and without a compass, he could not determine his direction. “I thought I was flying straight, but in reality, I was spinning,” he told China Media Group.
Faced with extremely low oxygen levels typical of such altitudes, only slightly less than that of Mount Everest, and temperatures plunging to -40°C, Mr. Peng narrowly escaped death. He recounted his desperate attempts to regain control as the glider spiraled uncontrollably.
Following the incident, authorities have initiated an investigation, leading to a six-month suspension for Peng due to the unauthorized nature of the flight. Initially, he had no plans to take to the skies that day as he was simply testing the fit of his parachute on the ground. However, powerful wind gusts unexpectedly lifted him off, culminating in the life-threatening ascent into cloud cover.
The incident has ignited discussions about the safety regulations surrounding extreme outdoor activities in China, as participants and authorities alike reflect on the risks associated with such thrilling but dangerous sports.
