Paraglider's high-altitude ordeal raises airspace safety concerns

A 55-year-old paraglider in Gansu province miraculously survived after being sucked into a cumulus cloud and carried to an altitude of 8,598 meters during an unapproved flight near the Qilian Mountains on May 24, triggering an official investigation by related authorities due to exposed severe safety and regulatory risks.

He only revealed his surname, Peng. He was conducting training with new equipment at a 3,000-meter site when sudden gusts lifted him uncontrollably into turbulent updrafts, according to his account on Tuesday. He wanted to land as soon as possible, but failed.

Trapped in a cumulus cloud, Peng, whose face was exposed directly without carrying an oxygen mask, struggled to descend amid freezing temperatures and severe oxygen deprivation. Video footage showed ice coating his face, body, and gear.

Despite numb hands, Peng managed to navigate northeastward using a compass and landed safely. He, now in stable health, admitted the scariest moment was disorientation inside the cloud.

"Thinking about it still makes me quite scared," he said.

He has 4.5 years of experience with a B-level paragliding certificate, which is the second lowest of the five levels for paragliders.

Experts explained that the "cloud suction" phenomenon occurs when updrafts near clouds rapidly elevate paragliders. Such conditions pose extreme risks, including hypoxia and loss of control.

Zhi Xiefei, a professor at the Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, explained that the incident resulted from powerful updrafts associated with cumulus clouds.