Watch this incredible ascent: Paraglider swept to 28,000 feet without intending to fly
Peng Yujian was swept 5 miles into the sky during a gear test in Gansu, sparking safety debate in China.
A Chinese paraglider accidentally found himself in a higher altitude than 28,000 feet—less than a world record—because of a sudden updraft while he was flying from the ground in Gansu province. The pilot, 55-year-old Peng Yujian, was testing the equipment when he lost control of his flight and climbed almost 5 miles high into the clouds.
The event on Wednesday left Peng icicle-encrusted, gasping for oxygen, and somewhat disoriented among the clouds. Video provided by state-sponsored broadcaster CCTV showed a very apologetic Peng mid-air and saying, "I can’t get out now. I'm totally lost."
Unintended flight turns into survival ordeal
Peng told CCTV News that he was testing a second-hand paragliding harness when strong wind caused him to be lifted into the sky. As he attempted to prepare for a landing, he lifted higher and higher into the atmosphere, finally reaching 8000m in altitude, basically the height of a commercial jet. As a licensed paraglider with two years of experience, Peng battled to keep directions on his way down as visibility fell and he lacked any navigational instruments.
He flew inside the thick clouds and lost orientation before starting to spin. At one moment he indeed lost orientation, and began to nosedive before regaining control before finally going into descent. "I looked around, and at the same time I thought: 'Ah, I'm saved this time!'" he said. On landing, it is reported that he became unconscious for a minute because of hypoxia with the subzero temperature.
Regulatory fallout and public backlash
After the event, the pilot Peng and another pilot who uploaded the footage of the flight without consent, were suspended for six months from flying by Chinese air sports officials. According to national paragliding regulations, all flights require a license and a pre-authorized registered flight plan.
The suspension received backlash on Chinese social media, with many debating that Peng should not be punished for a life-threatening accident. While the Aero Sports Association of Gansu Province has officially withdrawn its statement, it is unclear if suspension has been lifted. Peng has since said that he will take a hiatus from flying, admitting that "My own fear hasn't faded away completely."
