A Chinese paraglider’s brush with death in the Qilian Mountains has spotlighted the rare meteorological phenomenon known as ‘cloud suck,’ which propelled him to a life-threatening altitude of 8,598 meters without oxygen support. The pilot, whose face froze mid-flight and body became encased in ice crystals, miraculously maintained control before landing safely despite severe hypoxia and frostbite.
What Is Cloud Suck?
Aviation expert Wang Yanan explained to China Media Group that cloud suck occurs when paragliders are pulled into powerful updrafts near cumulonimbus clouds. These vertical winds can rapidly lift pilots to extreme altitudes, exposing them to subzero temperatures, turbulence, and lightning. “The risks multiply exponentially at such heights,” Wang said, emphasizing the phenomenon’s potential lethality.
Collision Risks With Commercial Flights
The incident raised alarms about airspace safety, as altitudes above 8,000 meters overlap with commercial aircraft cruising levels. Wang warned that paragliders entering regulated airspace could evade radar detection, creating catastrophic collision risks. Beihang University’s Zhao Jingwu added: “At jetliner speeds, avoiding a small paraglider is nearly impossible.”
China’s Airspace Management
China’s tightly controlled airspace system designates Class A zones above 6,000 meters for commercial flights under strict instrument rules. While lower-altitude zones permit recreational aviation, pilots must coordinate with authorities. This incident underscores the dangers of unplanned high-altitude maneuvers, with experts urging adherence to safety protocols and oxygen equipment requirements.
