Watch Chinese paraglider accidentally fly 28,000 feet above the clouds, go viral
A Chinese pilot has been banned from flying for six months after accidentally paragliding more than 28,000 feet above the clouds.
Peng Yujiang was testing new paragliding equipment at the Qilian Mountains in China's Gansu province on May 24 when he accidentally took off into the clouds, China Central Television (CCTV) reported.
Yujiang was shaking out a new parachute when a gust of wind took him airborne, CCTV said. Despite trying to reduce his altitude, Yujiang said he was sucked into a cloud, according to the outlet.
The paraglider eventually regained control of the equipment and landed, according to CCTV. The outlet said Yujiang went in and out of consciousness during the flight.
The Gansu Provincial Aviation Sports Association launched a task force to investigate the incident, and on May 28, announced it had issued Yujiang a six-month flight ban, CCTV said.
Accidental paragliding flight caught on video: Watch
See paraglider's terrifying flight up in the clouds
A Chinese paraglider got caught up in a strong updraft, known as "cloud suck." He narrowly escaped death as oxygen gets thin at that altitude.
Peng Yujiang's paragliding flight goes viral
Yujiang's flight was recorded, and after the incident, another pilot posted the video to social media. It went viral, leading to the investigation, according to CCTV.
The pilot who posted the video, Gu Zhimin, reportedly did so without permission, CCTV said. He was also banned from flying for six months, according to the outlet.
At higher altitudes, oxygen thins out and can cause hypoxia, or oxygen starvation, in humans, which can lead to death, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at melina.khan@usatoday.com.
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