Chinese Paraglider Almost Reaches World Record At 28,000 Feet, By Accident; Gets 6 Month Ban

A Chinese paraglider was carried by a cloud to the same height as the cruising altitude for aircraft–almost 28,200 feet! Reportedly, he intended to test some equipment, when he ended up reaching barely survivable heights last week. He has now been banned from flying for six months. But how did he reach such heights? Scroll on to find out.

Chinese Paraglider Flew Nearly 28,200 Feet By Mistake

According to Deccan Herald, 55-year-old paraglider Peng Yujiang flew more than 28,200 feet last week while testing equipment as part of ‘ground handling training’. This is usually done at an altitude of 10,000 feet above sea level. He was flying in the Qilian mountain range of northwest China’s Qinghai and Gansu provinces.

However, due to a strong wind, Peng was lifted into the sky and ended up losing control of the glider. He was unable to land as the draft grew stronger and he was pulled up above the clouds. He, somehow, managed to land about 33 km away from where he had taken off. While talking to local media, he said even thinking about the incident makes him quite scared.

The entire ordeal was captured on a camera attached to his equipment. The scary video showed the harrowing conditions he experienced. Reportedly, the Chinese paraglider rose to a level almost on par with Mount Everest’s summit and aviation flight paths. The video showed his face and body covered in frost and ice.

The Chinese paraglider is, reportedly, a victim of a dangerous phenomenon that paragliders call ‘cloud suck’. In this, the paraglider is rapidly drawn upward into a cloud. At high altitudes, this can increase the risk of oxygen deprivation due to the thin air at such heights. This can also cause organ damage or death.

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Handed Six Month Ban

As per reports, the local sporting authority in China’s Gansu province has banned the Chinese paraglider from the sport for six months. While Peng’s incident has been deemed an accident, as he did not plan to fly, the decision to bar him from flying for six months has raised many questions. The local authorities also noted that flying activities at sites in the area would be suspended for an indefinite period.

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As per the latest update, the Chinese paraglider is safe. More details about the incident are awaited.

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/okanmetin (representative image)