Chinese paraglider's viral thundercloud video may be partly fake

In a recent incident, a Chinese paraglider named Peng Yujiang claimed he was lifted into a thundercloud and ascended about 8,598 meters without oxygen. This extraordinary feat was filmed and circulated widely, becoming a viral sensation across China and internationally, especially following its broadcast on state broadcaster CCTV. Notably, the video was first uploaded to Douyin, which is China's version of TikTok, on May 24. Peng, a certified B-level paraglider, suggested he may have lost consciousness during the descent due to the extreme conditions he faced in the cloud. Alarming wind patterns reportedly thrust him into the rapidly forming cumulonimbus cloud, creating what he described as a perilous situation characterized by icy conditions without any supplemental oxygen. However, scrutiny of the video has raised significant doubts about its authenticity. According to an analysis by the American digital security firm GetReal, parts of the footage displayed signs of artificial intelligence involvement. The firm concluded with a high degree of confidence that the initial five seconds of the video appeared to be AI-generated images. This revelation has incited skepticism among paragliding experts as well. Several interviewed paragliders voiced their disbelief over Peng's narrative, suggesting that the flight may not have been an accident but rather an attempt to break records or evade sanctions for unauthorized ascents. Daniel Wainwright, a renowned flight instructor based in Australia, noted that storm clouds don't materialize suddenly and drag pilots skyward unexpectedly. He highlighted that any prudent paragliding pilot actively avoids such hazardous conditions. Furthermore, inconsistencies were observed in the video; for instance, Peng's legs were seen initially dangling without the protective cocoon required, and his helmet color fluctuated between white and black. This led experts to question the circumstances of his flight. Ultimately, despite the viral nature of the video, it falls short of establishing any credible record, particularly as the verified altitude for planned flights remains held by French pilot Antoine Girard, who achieved 8,407 meters in 2021. Peng has since deleted his flight log from XContest, which further complicates his claims. His flight should be viewed with caution, as narratives surrounding such extreme sports can often be embellished or fabricated to gain attention.