How Juliane Koepcke Survived A Plane Crash And 11 Days Alone In The Amazon

Summary

On December 24, 1971, a lightning strike led to the crash of LANSA Flight 508 in the Peruvian rainforest, with only 17-year-old Juliane Koepcke surviving the ordeal. Despite severe injuries, she navigated the jungle for 11 days, using her knowledge from a childhood spent in a similar environment. Her perseverance, resourcefulness, and a bit of luck led to her eventual rescue, a story of survival that continues to captivate and inspire.

Takeaways

• 🌩️ The LANSA Flight 508 crash on December 24, 1971, was caused by a lightning strike, which is considered the deadliest in aviation history.
• 🙏 Only one survivor, 17-year-old Juliane Koepcke, survived the crash, enduring 11 days alone in the Amazon rainforest.
• 🎓 Juliane's survival was aided by her unique upbringing in a Peruvian rainforest, which provided her with knowledge of the terrain and its inhabitants.
• 💺 Juliane was seated in a way that her seat acted as a protective cushion during the fall, possibly slowing her descent and saving her life.
• 🕒 After the crash, Juliane regained consciousness and used her watch to keep track of time, despite suffering from a concussion.
• 🤕 She suffered multiple injuries, including a broken collarbone, a deep laceration, and an infected cut, but managed to survive without immediate medical attention.
• 🌲 Using her knowledge of the rainforest, Juliane found water and rationed her only food source, a bag of candy, to endure extreme hunger.
• 🦅 She followed the sound of a king vulture to find the remains of other passengers, confirming the dire situation of the crash.
• 🚣‍♀️ Juliane decided to follow a nearby water source, as advised by her father, in the hope it would lead her to rescue.
• 🛶 On the 10th day, she found a boat, which boosted her morale and led her to a hut where she treated her infected wound with gasoline.
• 🛤️ Juliane was eventually discovered by local Peruvian men, who took her to a nearby town for medical treatment, marking the end of her ordeal.

Q & A

What was the date of the LANSA Flight 508 crash?

The LANSA Flight 508 crashed on December 24, 1971.

What event is considered the deadliest lightning strike in aviation history?

The lightning strike that caused the LANSA Flight 508 crash is considered the deadliest in aviation history.

Who was the only survivor of the LANSA Flight 508 crash?

Juliane Koepcke was the only survivor of the LANSA Flight 508 crash.

How old was Juliane Koepcke during the plane crash?

Juliane Koepcke was 17 years old during the plane crash.

What was the condition of Juliane Koepcke after the crash?

Juliane Koepcke survived the crash with a broken collarbone, a deep laceration on her calf, an infected cut on her arm with maggots, a fractured shin, strained vertebra, and a torn ACL.

What did Juliane Koepcke do after regaining consciousness?

After regaining consciousness, Juliane Koepcke crawled under her seat bench to escape the rain and regain her strength, and it took her a full day and a half before she could get up and walk.

How did Juliane Koepcke's upbringing help her in the Amazon rainforest?

Juliane Koepcke's upbringing, with her parents being a world-renowned ornithologist and a famous zoologist, and having been raised in a similar rainforest area, helped her understand the terrain and not be overly afraid of her situation.

What was the significance of the king vulture sound Juliane heard?

The sound of the king vulture indicated to Juliane that there was carrion or rotting flesh nearby, which led her to discover the remains of three other passengers from the crash.

How did Juliane Koepcke find food during her time in the rainforest?

Juliane Koepcke found a bag of candy near where she landed, which she rationed carefully, eating a couple of pieces each day. After the candy was gone, she experienced extreme hunger and did not find other sources of food.

What strategy did Juliane Koepcke use to find rescuers?

Juliane Koepcke decided to follow the water sources, starting from a small well she found, as her father had advised her that streams would lead to bigger ones and eventually to a water source for potential rescuers.

What was the turning point for Juliane Koepcke's rescue?

The turning point for Juliane Koepcke's rescue was when she spotted a boat on the 10th day after the crash, which led her to a path and eventually to a hut where she was discovered by three Peruvian men.

Why was Film Director Werner Herzog almost on the LANSA Flight 508?

Film Director Werner Herzog was almost on the LANSA Flight 508 due to a last-minute change in plans, which caused him to cancel his reservations.

What documentary was created about Juliane Koepcke's survival story?

Film Director Werner Herzog created the documentary 'Wings of Hope' to tell the incredible tale of Juliane Koepcke's survival.