Chinese Paraglider Reaches Near-Record Heights, Over 28,000 Feet, by Accident – The New York Times
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Chinese Paraglider Soars to Astonishing 28,000 Feet by Accident – A Thrilling Feat!
A paraglider in China accidentally soared to nearly 8,600 meters while testing equipment, facing extreme conditions and frostbite. Peng Yujiang, a 55-year-old from Gansu province, found himself soaring nearly 8,.600 meters above sea level, a feat comparable to the summit of Mount Everest. The incident underscores the inherent risks in extreme sports, emphasizing the need for thorough safety protocols worldwide.
www.nytimes.com
A paraglider in China recently faced a life-threatening adventure when he ascended to astonishing heights during a routine equipment test. On May 30, 2025, Peng Yujiang, a 55-year-old from Gansu province, found himself soaring nearly 8,600 meters above sea level, a feat comparable to the summit of Mount Everest.
6 Key Takeaways Paraglider reached extreme altitude unexpectedly
Peng Yujiang is a 55-year-old paraglider
Incident occurred in Gansu province, China
Video captured harrowing conditions experienced
Strong winds caused loss of control
Equipment testing was part of training session
This unexpected ascent occurred while he was conducting “ground handling training” at a much lower altitude. A sudden gust of wind lifted him uncontrollably into the sky, where he experienced extreme conditions, as captured on video. His face and body were covered in frost, showcasing the perilous nature of high-altitude paragliding.
Fast Answer: A paraglider in China soared to 8,600 meters unexpectedly, highlighting the dangers of extreme sports and the importance of safety training.
This incident raises critical questions about safety in extreme sports. How prepared are athletes for unexpected challenges? With the right training, many risks can be mitigated. Consider these points:
Ground handling training is essential for safe launches.
Unexpected weather conditions can dramatically alter flight paths.
High-altitude experiences require specialized equipment and training.
This incident underscores the inherent risks in extreme sports, emphasizing the need for thorough safety protocols worldwide.
As the popularity of paragliding grows, so does the responsibility of ensuring safety measures are in place. Athletes and enthusiasts must prioritize training to navigate the skies safely.
Chinese paraglider cheats death after flying to 28,000ft, handed 6 month ban
Peng Yujiang found himself at 28,208ft (8,598 metres) above sea level. His equipment malfunctioned and he was lifted to a height equivalent to almost summiting Mount Everest. Peng had taken off from a height of nearly 10,000ft in the Qilian Mountains.
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Peng Yujiang found himself at 28,208ft (8,598 metres) above sea level after his equipment malfunctioned and he was lifted to a height equivalent to almost summiting Mount Everest.
The glider’s on board camera recorded the entire incident, including the moment Peng climbed to heights where temperatures are as low as -40 degrees Celsius (-40 degrees Fahrenheit) and oxygen drops to critically low levels.
Peng had taken off from a height of nearly 10,000ft in the Qilian Mountains, a range between the Qinghai and Gansu provinces of northern China, on Saturday, and was reportedly in the air for more than an hour.
The Gansu Provincial Aviation Sports Association released a report detailing the event on Wednesday, and banned Peng from flying as he had not registered his trip beforehand.
01:40 Chinese paraglider survives accidentally flying near height of Mount Everest Chinese paraglider survives accidentally flying near height of Mount Everest
A pilot named Gu Zhimin was also banned from flying for six months, because he “released the video of the incident without permission”, the report said.