Accidental Ascent: Chinese Paraglider Surprises All by Reaching 28,600 Feet

During an equipment test in the Qilian mountains, Peng Yujiang, a 55-year-old paraglider, accidentally reached altitudes exceeding 28,600 feet. His frightening experience captured on camera prompted his local sporting authority to impose a six-month ban.

In an extraordinary incident that left onlookers in shock, a paraglider in Gansu province, China, reached astonishing heights of nearly 28,600 feet while unwittingly testing his equipment over the weekend. Peng Yujiang, a 55-year-old adventurer, found himself soaring high above sea level on Saturday, surpassing the threshold of safe paraglider operations, all due to unexpected strong winds.

According to state media reports, the paraglider ascended over 8,600 meters into the sky, an altitude comparable to the lower flights of international aviation. Disturbingly, a video captured during the flight reveals his frozen face and body, highlighting just how perilous the situation had become. Initially, Mr. Peng was merely engaged in “ground handling training” approximately 3,000 meters above sea level when a sudden gust lifted him away from safety.

"I felt the lack of oxygen. My hands were frozen outside. I kept trying to talk on the radio," he recounted after landing, as reported by the state-run outlet Sixth Tone. The videos circulated rapidly across social media, illustrating the harrowing nature of the incident.

In light of the event, the local sporting authority determined that Peng would not be permitted to participate in paragliding activities for the next six months, a decision likely influenced by the serious dangers associated with such a flight. This unexpected ascent will surely change the conversation around safety regulations and the training of paragliders in the region.