Paragliding mishap sparks debates

Peng Yujiang during his unexpected paragliding flight on Saturday in Gansu province. (Photo provided to CHINA DAILY)

A 55-year-old paraglider in Gansu province, who miraculously survived after being sucked into a cumulus cloud at an altitude of around 8,500 meters while undergoing ground training, will be prohibited from paragliding for six months, authorities announced.

News of the incident, which occurred near the Qilian Mountains on Saturday, has sparked debate online over related regulations.

Gansu Provincial Aeronautics and Sports Association stated on Wednesday that all potential flying sites within the jurisdiction of Jiayuguan city and Sunan county in Zhangye city would be sealed off immediately. All flying-related activities at these sites are suspended until approval procedures are completed.

However, the association clarified that Peng Yujiang's ground shaking parachute training — during which paragliders learn how to manage their gliders on the ground — does not fall under activities requiring reporting and approval, according to the Paragliding Sports Management Measures.

His unexpected ascent due to air currents was deemed an accident, not a violation or unauthorized flight.

"According to Peng's account, he didn't plan on taking off," the statement said.

Around 11 am on Saturday, Peng was undergoing ground shaking training with a paraglider in Qifeng township, Sunan county, at an altitude of 3,000 meters above sea level when a strong wind suddenly lifted him into the sky. As the wind intensified, he was unable to gain control of the glider and couldn't land it.

During the ascent, Peng experienced blurred consciousness and brief unconsciousness. The extreme cold at such a high altitude partially revived him, allowing him to gradually regain control and eventually land near the Tiansheng Pasture at an altitude of 1,800 meters.

Video footage showed ice coating his face, body and gear. Peng, now in stable health, described disorientation inside the cloud as the scariest moment.

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

He has 4.5 years of experience and holds a B-level paragliding certificate, the second lowest of five levels. He obtained the certificate in 2022 and has gained more than two years of paragliding experience since then.

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

Zhi Xiefei, a professor at Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, attributed the incident to powerful updrafts associated with cumulus clouds. "At mid-latitude regions like the Qilian Mountains, an altitude of over 8,000 meters lies in the upper-middle troposphere, where temperatures can plummet to — 40 C, and oxygen is critically thin," he said.

"The incident was very dangerous because an altitude of around 8,000 meters is the cruising altitude for many domestic airlines' short-haul aircraft," Ge, a pilot, told Red Star News, a Chinese news outlet.