A paraglider in China experienced an accident during flight, rising to an altitude of about 8,600 meters. He dramatically survived.
According to reports from China's South China Morning Post (SCMP) and other media on the 29th, the accident occurred on the 24th. The experienced 5-year paraglider enthusiast Peng Yuzhang was testing new equipment at around 11 a.m. (local time) at a training site in the Tianshan Mountains of Gansu Province, northwestern China, at an altitude of 3,000 meters.
After taking off, Peng experienced the phenomenon of ‘cloud suck,’ which is when a paraglider encounters an updraft near clouds and rapidly gains altitude. He rose to the top of a ridge and began to be pulled into a cumulus cloud.
Peng quickly ascended to an altitude of 8,598 meters. This is close to the height of Mount Everest (8,849 meters) and also at cruising altitude for aircraft. At that altitude, the temperature was recorded at minus 35 degrees Celsius, with wind speeds of approximately 25 meters per second.
The camera mounted on the glider captured Peng, surrounded by ice, struggling to descend in the thin air. He was not wearing an oxygen mask, so his face was exposed to extreme cold, and his hands were frostbitten. He attempted to descend relying on his radio and was able to land after one hour.
He landed close to Chifengzhang Township in Gansu Province without serious injuries, showing his frostbitten hands and recalling, "I felt a severe lack of oxygen," describing the terrifying situation at the time.
Chinese media warned that if a paraglider rises to such high altitudes, they could face serious situations such as hypoxia, hypothermia, and lightning strikes. Aviation expert Wang Yanan noted, "There could be potential risks to civilian aviation safety if commercial aircraft pass through the airspace in that area."
The Gansu Provincial Aviation Sports Association stated that Peng flew in an unauthorized location and airspace, imposing a fine and a flying ban for six months.