Chinese Paraglider Survives Accidental 8,000m-High Flight

A Chinese paraglider has amazed many after surviving a chance ascent to 8,500 meters (27,800 feet) above northwest China. According to state media, Peng Yujiang, 55, was paragliding in the Qilian Mountains when a rare event called a “cloud suck” took him much higher than he expected.

Peng started his flight at 3,000 meters, but the strong updraft lifted him an extra 5,000 meters into the clouds. The event, which took place on Saturday, was filmed by a camera on Peng’s glider. The video captured Peng holding the controls while ice crystals appeared on his face and body. The video has become very popular on Douyin, which is China’s TikTok.

Even though the video is very popular, some people have wondered if it is real. NBC pointed out that the logo of an artificial intelligence company was removed from the clip. The BBC has not checked the footage itself.

In interviews with Chinese media, Peng said that the experience was very frightening. The world was completely white. I did not know where to go. He said to China Media Group, “If I didn’t have the compass, I wouldn’t have known which direction to go.” He remembered feeling lost, thinking he was flying in a straight line when he was actually spinning out of control.

Peng was worried about his life because of the thin oxygen and freezing cold at that altitude, which is just below Mount Everest, where temperatures can drop to -40°C. He thinks he might have blacked out for a short time as he was falling.

Peng is still dealing with the consequences of what happened. The Global Times reported that he was suspended from flying for six months because the flight was not authorized. An investigation into the incident has been started by the authorities. Peng has been flying paragliders for four and a half years.