In a jaw-dropping incident over the Qilian Mountains, a Chinese paraglider experienced the rare phenomenon known as cloud suck. Without oxygen support, he was unexpectedly lifted to an astonishing altitude of 8,598 meters by a powerful updraft! 😮
Surviving with his face exposed and his body covered in ice crystals, the pilot managed to stay conscious and in control, though he later suffered from oxygen deprivation and freezing hands from the extreme conditions.
Aviation expert Wang Yanan explained that cloud suck occurs when a paraglider is caught in rapidly rising air currents near cumulonimbus clouds. "This kind of ascent carries serious risks," Wang noted. The sudden elevation exposes the pilot to extreme cold, turbulence, hypoxia, and even lightning – making it a potentially fatal phenomenon. ⚠️
Adding to the danger is the risk of collision with commercial airliners. With altitudes over 8,000 meters nearing the cruising levels of passenger planes, any unexpected intrusion into regulated airspace could prove catastrophic. Associate professor Zhao Jingwu from the Law School of Beihang University emphasized that at such high speeds, even a small object like a paraglider is hard to detect.
This incident highlights the dramatic yet perilous side of extreme paragliding. It serves as a reminder that while nature can offer breathtaking moments and incredible thrills, safety measures and proper regulations are crucial to prevent disaster. ✈️
Reference(s):
What is cloud suck, the phenomenon behind the paraglider incident?
cgtn.com
