A paraglider's equipment test gone wrong results in a breathtaking, but perilous ascent.
Chinese Paraglider Accidentally Soars to Altitude Near Everest
Chinese Paraglider Accidentally Soars to Altitude Near Everest
Unexpected incident leads to temporary ban in the sport following extreme altitude flight.
A paraglider's routine equipment check took a dramatic turn last Saturday when Peng Yujiang, a 55-year-old pilot based in Gansu province, soared to an astonishing altitude of nearly 8,600 meters (over 28,200 feet), an elevation comparable to that of Mount Everest. The unusual ascent occurred in the Qilian mountain range due to a sudden gust of wind that lifted him far beyond the intended 3,000-meter height at which he was initially training.
Captured on his equipment's camera, the ordeal shows Mr. Peng enveloped in frost and ice, battling harsh conditions at a height well above typical flying paths. "I felt the lack of oxygen. My hands were frozen outside. I kept trying to talk on the radio," he recounted in an interview following the harrowing experience, as reported by Sixth Tone, a state-run English-language outlet.
Mr. Peng was engaged in ‘ground handling training,’ essential for paragliders preparing for safe launches, when he experienced the unexpected lift-off. Despite his efforts to regain control, he was helpless against the strength of the upward draft, which ultimately propelled him above the clouds, thrusting him into an extreme and precarious situation. Following the incident, the local sporting authority imposed a six-month ban on Mr. Peng from paragliding, marking a significant consequence for the unintended flight.
Captured on his equipment's camera, the ordeal shows Mr. Peng enveloped in frost and ice, battling harsh conditions at a height well above typical flying paths. "I felt the lack of oxygen. My hands were frozen outside. I kept trying to talk on the radio," he recounted in an interview following the harrowing experience, as reported by Sixth Tone, a state-run English-language outlet.
Mr. Peng was engaged in ‘ground handling training,’ essential for paragliders preparing for safe launches, when he experienced the unexpected lift-off. Despite his efforts to regain control, he was helpless against the strength of the upward draft, which ultimately propelled him above the clouds, thrusting him into an extreme and precarious situation. Following the incident, the local sporting authority imposed a six-month ban on Mr. Peng from paragliding, marking a significant consequence for the unintended flight.
