A Chinese paraglider who accidentally soared more than 8,000 meters high due to a strong updraft has been banned from the activity for six months following the viral spread of a video showcasing his harrowing experience.
Peng Yujiang began his flight from an elevation of approximately 3,000 meters in the Qilian mountain range in northern China, intends to test his newly purchased second-hand equipment without making an actual flight, according to an investigation by the Gansu Provincial Aviation Sports Association.
However, about 20 minutes into his practice, he was caught in a powerful updraft, sending him soaring over 5,000 meters high, close to the altitude of Mount Everest and in line with regular flight paths.
Videos captured by a camera mounted on Peng’s equipment depicted him above the clouds, covered in icicles, with temperatures dropping to a reported -35 degrees Celsius, as he struggled to control his equipment.
Peng recounted his experience in a video shortly after landing, stating that his hands were frozen and he attempted to communicate via radio.
Authorities acknowledge Peng’s survival, emphasizing that such an exposure without oxygen is not voluntary or easily survivable. Despite the accident, Peng, who possesses about five years of paragliding experience, did not file any flight plans and thus his ordeal was not subject to relevant approvals.
Consequently, he was banned from flying for six months. The report, based on an interview with Peng, revealed that he remained in contact with his friend Gu Zhimin on the ground, who later shared the flight recordings on Douyin, China’s version of TikTok, leading to its viral spread. However, this action also attracted the authorities’ ire, resulting in Gu being grounded for six months and tasked to write a reflection on his actions’ impact.
The bureau stated that any potential records broken by Peng’s flight would not be officially recognized due to the lack of registration. His flight almost matched the world record of 9,946 meters set by German paraglider Ewa Wiśnierska in 2007. She was also caught in a similar updraft while paragliding in Australia, but remained unconscious for about 40 minutes until safely landing and checking her flight data.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/29/chinese-paraglider-peng-yujiang-survives-8000-metre-high-flight
