A skilled paraglider from China was stirred into low flying by an unusual updraft and ended up going higher than the average commercial jet. He managed to land safely after more than sixty minutes of dealing with frigid air and low air pressure. Footage of what he did, shared and spread throughout the Internet, caused controversy and amazement. Despite getting close to being unconscious and suffering frostbite, the event revealed important issues about arranging, safety, and the law in extreme sports. His story is famous for highlighting determination during the worst kinds of challenges.
How Did a Simple Equipment Test Turn Into a Near-Death Experience?
A used harness being tested by a seasoned paraglider caused a quiet morning in China’s Gansu province to become an ordeal. The 55-year-old pilot thought the flight would be a brief and safe one, but a powerful and unusual weather event pushed him higher than anyone could expect, to 8,598 meters (28,200 feet).
When the strong wind pulled him upward higher than was safe, his simple flight turned very scary. It got cold to -40 degrees Celsius that day. He didn’t get any additional oxygen. Hershey lived through the crash to report about it.
What made him get promoted so far?
Paragliders know this meteorological event as “cloud suck,” and it led to the surprise climb on that day. When strong updrafts from cumulonimbus clouds lift gliders and other items thousands of meters up, this is known as glider flying.
The upward force kicked in after about 20 minutes of flying, pushing the glider quickly and unexpectedly higher. It wasn’t long before he knew his altitude was increasing too much, although the paraglider was not yet hard to control. The captain had learned to handle commercial jetliners, as his training had confirmed.
How Must It Have Been for Him as He Approached Possible Death?
Past 8,598 meters, the body begins to turn off because of a lack of oxygen. A drop in oxygen, known as hypoxia, caused the paraglider to become drastically lightheaded and have trouble keeping their balance. He stopped seeing where he was going and started to circle.
All around him were bright, shining white clouds. The ice crystals on him and his gloves made his skin and hands go numb. He couldn’t see the ground or tell which way was up or down. To avoid the clouds, he kept his grip on the brakes and made sure he was still mostly awake.
He soon described that experience as feeling stuck in a washing machine made up of snow and wind. Read another article on the US-China Trade War
How Was He Able to Land Safely?
To avoid the clouds above, he tried to steer his parachute in a different direction while the turbulence blew him about. At some point, he had no control left. He slipped into a dangerous spiral dive, which can occur at great altitudes.
Once he was able to control himself, he guided himself northeast, away from the air current, using his compass. After battling weather and high altitude for around an hour, he finally came down to safer skies and glimpsed the ground.
Except for being tired and frostbitten, he ended up around 30 kilometers from where he took off.
What Did He Emote When He Rose to the Top?
As his feet touched the snow, he could no longer support himself and fell to his knees. His hands and face were covered in frostbite. His lips had turned purple because he wasn’t breathing. His skin around the mouth was frozen with ice.
A friend who had watched from below met him as soon as he landed. Because the paraglider had been away for so long, many were worried he might never come back. Seeing him come down from above was called a genuine miracle.
The film seen after Christ’s arrival shows a man with fear on his face, nearly unable to express himself, giggling aimlessly, and probably more shocked than happy.
Did Any Records for Flying Come from Him?
Although Davies came very near the highest record for paragliding without help, it was not given official recognition. To get recognized in the sport, you must use trackers created for the purpose and check in events ahead of time.
The remarkable thing about this accidental flight was that the paraglider survived high in the air without oxygen, specialized pressurized clothing, or advanced tools.
One of the most dangerous accidental flights is described as such by sports experts.
Were the Practice’s Methods Safe and Legal?
The story spread quickly on social media after the flight. It amazed those present that he had survived. People pointed out that preparing and having safety procedures in place was missing. An investigation was begun to learn whether the pilot followed proper procedures before taking off the airplane.
It emerged that failing to prepare the correct flight plan was the reason for the accident, as this paperwork is needed for all sport flights high in the Chinese sky. For six months, he and his climbing partner were both banned from paragliding.
Because the plane survived, experts pointed out that poor safety decisions could have led to a much worse outcome.
What Reflected the Experience in the Paraglider?
After he healed, the paraglider explained what went through his mind during the event. He said nature’s power sometimes scared and sometimes astonished him. He said, “I was certain I wouldn’t survive that climb.” At some stage, I felt quite comfortable despite everything. As if all I could use was the wind.
He credited his experience with helping him live through those moments. Long experience helped him recognize wind changes and adjust easily, especially during difficulties. He agreed that he was not prepared at that stage, especially if the first test had been over mountains.
Now, he treats it as a cautionary tale and a milestone in his life.
What Can This Incident Tell Us?
The experience with this flight shows clearly why adventure sports relying on nature can be most dangerous. Important things you should learn are:
Don’t underestimate the weather, as dangerous updrafts may be hiding under a clear sky.
You should take oxygen and thermal protection for the plane when it flies higher than 3,000 meters.
Mail in a flight plan: The rules help by providing a backup in case of trouble.
It might save your life if you can talk with the ground crew in real time.
Treat the sky’s unpredictability seriously, even when you are an experienced pilot.
Is He Planning to Return to Flight?
Although the experience was shocking, the paraglider may return to flying in the future. Even though he views flying as a long-time part of his routine, he felt a vacation was necessary for him.
He is certain to take every precaution possible if he returns.
Conclusion
On top of being a survival story, China’s paragliding record shows the strength of humans, the risks in nature, and how quickly things can go wrong.
As the man on the flight thinks back on how close he nearly missed coming back, everyone else online keeps talking about his memorable video. Hidden forces raised him, unexpected challenges stood in his way, and he came back with a message that every explorer should admire: value the sky.
