A paraglider named Peng Yujiang, aged 55, has emerged as a viral sensation after experiencing a shocking adventure in the skies above north-west China.
Paraglider's Terrifying Accidental Ascent to 8,500m in China
Paraglider's Terrifying Accidental Ascent to 8,500m in China
A Chinese man faces a six-month suspension following a harrowing accidental flight above the clouds.
In a shocking turn of events, a Chinese paraglider, Peng Yujiang, aged 55, endured a life-threatening ascent to an altitude of 8,500 meters (27,800 feet) after being swept up by a powerful updraft while testing new equipment. Initially flying at a safe 3,000 meters over the breathtaking Qilian mountains, he was unexpectedly pulled into a cloud formation by what’s termed a "cloud suck" phenomenon.
This extraordinary incident, captured on camera and shared on Douyin—China's equivalent of TikTok—has since gained massive attention online. In the footage, a visibly distressed Peng is seen gripping the glider's controls, his face freezing as ice crystals formed around him. "It was terrifying... Everything was white. I couldn't see any direction. Without the compass, I wouldn't have known which way I was going. I thought I was flying straight, but in reality, I was spinning," he recounted in an interview with China Media Group.
Survival at such heights is nearly impossible due to dangerously low oxygen levels and extreme temperatures that can plummet to -40°C, just below the peak of Everest. “I wanted to come down quickly, but I just couldn't. I was lifted higher and higher until I was inside the cloud,” he explained, highlighting the terrifying nature of his unexpected journey.
Peng, who has over four years of paragliding experience, reported losing consciousness at one point during his struggle to regain control as his glider spiraled in the frigid air. Due to the unauthorized nature of his flight, Chinese authorities have initiated an investigation, leading to a six-month suspension for Peng. He was not intending to fly that day, instead only wishing to assess the fit and comfort of his new parachute. However, unanticipated strong winds unexpectedly catapulted him into the air and eventually up into the hazardous updraft.
As the incident unfolds, it serves as a compelling reminder of the unpredictable nature of extreme sports and the potential dangers that come with them.
This extraordinary incident, captured on camera and shared on Douyin—China's equivalent of TikTok—has since gained massive attention online. In the footage, a visibly distressed Peng is seen gripping the glider's controls, his face freezing as ice crystals formed around him. "It was terrifying... Everything was white. I couldn't see any direction. Without the compass, I wouldn't have known which way I was going. I thought I was flying straight, but in reality, I was spinning," he recounted in an interview with China Media Group.
Survival at such heights is nearly impossible due to dangerously low oxygen levels and extreme temperatures that can plummet to -40°C, just below the peak of Everest. “I wanted to come down quickly, but I just couldn't. I was lifted higher and higher until I was inside the cloud,” he explained, highlighting the terrifying nature of his unexpected journey.
Peng, who has over four years of paragliding experience, reported losing consciousness at one point during his struggle to regain control as his glider spiraled in the frigid air. Due to the unauthorized nature of his flight, Chinese authorities have initiated an investigation, leading to a six-month suspension for Peng. He was not intending to fly that day, instead only wishing to assess the fit and comfort of his new parachute. However, unanticipated strong winds unexpectedly catapulted him into the air and eventually up into the hazardous updraft.
As the incident unfolds, it serves as a compelling reminder of the unpredictable nature of extreme sports and the potential dangers that come with them.
