Paraglider's Wild Ride Soaring 8,000m Into Trouble!

Chinese Paraglider's Unintentional Ascent to 8,000 Meters Ends in Flight Ban

In an incredible tale of unforeseen circumstances and extreme altitudes, a Chinese paraglider found himself soaring thousands of meters above the clouds, reaching heights comparable to Mount Everest. However, the adventure wasn't entirely celebrated, as it resulted in a six-month flight ban.

Peng Yujiang, an experienced paraglider with five years under his belt, embarked on what was supposed to be a routine equipment test in the Qilian mountain range of northern China. Starting at an elevation of approximately 3,000 meters, Peng intended to assess his newly acquired second-hand gear. Little did he know, nature had other plans.

Caught in a Powerful Updraft

Around 20 minutes into his practice, Peng was caught in a powerful updraft, an upward current of air. This natural phenomenon propelled him to an astonishing altitude of over 8,000 meters.

Imagine this:

• Soaring more than 5,000 meters higher than his starting point.
• Reaching altitudes that intersect with commercial flight paths.
• Approaching the staggering height of Mount Everest.

Video footage from Peng’s camera captured the extraordinary scene. The paraglider found himself above the clouds, battling freezing temperatures that plummeted to -35°C, and struggling to maintain control of his equipment.

Survival Against the Odds

In a video recorded after his landing, Peng recounted the harrowing experience. "My hands were frozen outside. I kept trying to talk on the radio," he said, highlighting the extreme conditions he faced. Authorities acknowledged the accidental nature of the incident and praised Peng’s survival. According to Sixth Tone, a sports bureau official stated, "A normal person cannot be exposed at 8,000m without oxygen, so this is not something that can be done voluntarily."

The Aftermath: A Flight Ban

Despite surviving the ordeal, Peng faced consequences for his unintentional high-altitude flight. Because he hadn't filed any flight plans (as he didn't intend to leave ground level), his flight was deemed "not subject to relevant approvals," according to the Gansu Provincial Aviation Sports Association's report. As a result, Peng received a six-month ban from paragliding.

Key Details from the Report:

• Peng was in the air for over an hour.
• He maintained radio contact with his friend, Gu Zhimin, who remained on the ground.
• He attempted to descend but found it ineffective.
• He briefly lost consciousness as he ascended to higher altitudes.
• He eventually landed approximately 30 kilometers from his launch site, where he was met by his friends.

Viral Video and Further Consequences

Gu Zhimin, Peng's friend, shared a video of the flight on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, where it quickly went viral. While the video garnered shock and admiration, it also attracted the attention of authorities.

Gu was also penalized.

“Gu Zhimin posted a flight video without permission, which had a bad impact,” the report stated. “He was grounded for six months and asked to write a report to deeply reflect on the negative impact of his behaviour.”

Furthermore, the bureau declared that any potential records broken during Peng’s flight would not be officially recognized due to the unregistered nature of the flight.

Nearing World Record Territory

Peng's unintentional flight came close to the world record of 9,946 meters, set by German paraglider Ewa Wiśnierska in 2007. Wiśnierska, too, was caught in a similar updraft in Australia and remained unconscious for about 40 minutes, only realizing the extreme altitude she had reached after landing.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable forces of nature and the importance of adhering to safety protocols, even during seemingly routine activities. While Peng's adventure was unintentional, it underscores the potential risks involved in paragliding and the need for proper planning and authorization. It's a testament to both the thrill and the potential hazards of pushing the boundaries of human flight.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/may/29/chinese-paraglider-peng-yujiang-survives-8000-metre-high-flight