A man miraculously survived being trapped inside a cumulonimbus cloud for 40 minutes, facing terrifying conditions before finally escaping.
Lieutenant Colonel William Rankin unexpectedly encountered a storm cloud while flying in the sky
On July 26, 1959, a remarkable and terrifying incident occurred involving Lieutenant Colonel William Rankin.
He became trapped inside a cumulonimbus cloud for an astonishing 40 minutes.
The story is not only about staying alive but also shows the dangers of flying through storm clouds.
William Rankin was flying his F-8 Crusader jet with his wingman, Herbert Nolan, over South Carolina.
They were aware of dark storm clouds ahead and decided to climb above them to avoid any trouble.
Their altitude was about 14,300 meters (47,000 feet), a safe height above the clouds. However, things took a sudden turn when Rankin’s jet engine failed without warning.
Rankin faces challenges after being ejected from his jet
With no pressure suit to protect him from the extreme cold and low oxygen at that height, Rankin faced a dangerous situation.
Realizing he had no choice, he pulled the ejection handle to escape the jet.
As he ejected, he lost one of his gloves, exposing his hand to the freezing temperatures outside.
The moment he left the safety of his aircraft, the pressure change caused blood to seep from his eyes and ears, and his abdomen began to swell.
Now free-falling towards the storm, Rankin entered the cumulonimbus cloud.
These clouds are notorious for their violent conditions, characterized by strong updrafts and turbulent air.
Inside the cloud, he could not see anything, and the environment was chaotic. Despite the extreme conditions, Rankin remembered that pulling his parachute too soon would be deadly.
Instead, he deployed a barometer that would automatically release his parachute when he reached a lower altitude of about 10,000 feet.
Rankin hoped to escape the cloud before he ran out of oxygen or succumbed to the freezing temperatures.
For what felt like an eternity, he was tossed around by powerful updrafts while hailstones and lightning threatened him from all sides.
Inside the cloud, Rankin experienced intense fear and confusion. He had no control over his descent and was unsure when he would be able to breathe properly again.
He struggled to keep his wits about him, knowing that panic could lead to disaster.
Eventually, his parachute deployed, but to his surprise, he was still being lifted by the powerful updrafts within the cumulonimbus cloud.
Instead of descending, he was caught in a cycle of being lifted and dropped repeatedly.
At times, the air became so saturated with water that he feared he might drown. Rankin remained focused, trying to survive the tumultuous ordeal.
Only two people have ever entered a cumulonimbus cloud and come out alive.
He became one of two survivors of a cumulonimbus cloud.
Finally, after what felt like forever, he was released from the cloud and began to drift downwards.
As he descended, he collided with a tree, hitting his head on the trunk as he fell through the branches.
When he checked his watch, he realized that approximately 40 minutes had passed since he had ejected from his jet.
Despite the harrowing experience, Rankin managed to escape with only minor injuries, including frostbite and decompression-related issues.
After the incident, Rankin sought medical attention and was treated for his injuries.
He later wrote a book titled “The Man Who Rode the Thunder“, sharing his incredible story with the world.
He became one of only two people known to have survived such a dangerous encounter with a thunderstorm cloud.
In the years following his remarkable escape, Rankin continued to serve in the military and lived a full life.
He passed away in 2009 at the age of 88, having left behind a legacy of courage and resilience.