A routine equipment test turned into a life-threatening adventure for Peng Yujiang, a 55-year-old paraglider from Gansu province, China. On Saturday morning, while conducting “ground handling training,” Peng found himself soaring uncontrollably to an astonishing altitude of nearly 8,600 meters (28,200 feet) in the Qilian mountain range, as reported by Chinese state media.
The incident unfolded when strong winds unexpectedly lifted him skyward from a starting point of about 3,000 meters (10,000 feet). Captured on camera, the experience showcased the extreme conditions faced by Peng as his face and body became encrusted with frost and ice, a stark visual testament to the perilous environment he was navigating. "I felt the lack of oxygen. My hands were frozen outside. I kept trying to talk on the radio," he recounted in a video post-incident, speaking to the gravity of his ordeal.
Local reporting indicates that the paraglider had intended to conduct basic tests of his equipment but was taken off-guard as the weather intensified, causing an uncontrollable rise above the clouds. Despite the traumatic experience at altitudes nearing Mount Everest and commercial aviation paths, local sporting authorities have taken a serious stance on the situation, enforcing a six-month suspension on Peng from the sport. Authorities warned that safety should always come first in paragliding activities, especially in challenging weather conditions.
