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.

Outlines

00:00

⚡️ The Deadliest Lightning Strike in Aviation History

On December 24, 1971, LANSA Flight 508 from Lima to Pucallpa, Peru, was struck by lightning, leading to a crash that claimed the lives of everyone onboard except for one 17-year-old girl named Juliane Koepcke. This segment introduces the story of Juliane's survival after the crash and her 11 days alone in the Amazon rainforest. It sets the scene with her mother's concern, the storm, and the catastrophic events that followed, including Juliane being ejected from the plane while still strapped to her seat.

05:01

🌳 Alone in the Amazon

After regaining consciousness, Juliane found herself soaking wet, dirty, and partially trapped under her seat. She had multiple injuries, including a broken collarbone and infected wounds. Despite the extreme conditions and her weakened state, she managed to scout the crash site for survivors and resources, dealing with maggots in her wounds and the threat of dangerous wildlife. Her unique upbringing in the rainforest, thanks to her parents' work, played a crucial role in her survival, allowing her to navigate the jungle with less fear and more knowledge than most people would have.

🍬 The Struggle for Sustenance

Juliane relied on a small bag of candy she found near the crash site for sustenance, rationing it carefully. She attempted to follow water sources, as advised by her father, hoping they would lead her to safety. Despite severe hunger and extreme physical challenges, including traveling with one shoe and without her glasses, she pressed on. She encountered numerous obstacles, but her familiarity with the rainforest and determination to survive kept her going.

🚤 Discovery and Rescue

On the 10th day, Juliane found a boat, which she initially thought was a hallucination. She then discovered a small hut with gasoline, which she used to treat her maggot-infested wound, drawing on childhood knowledge. Eventually, three Peruvian men found her and helped her get medical treatment in a nearby town. Juliane's incredible survival story also has a twist of fate involving film director Werner Herzog, who almost boarded the ill-fated flight. Herzog later created a documentary, 'Wings of Hope,' to recount Juliane's remarkable story.

Keywords

💡LANSA Flight 508

LANSA Flight 508 refers to a specific commercial flight operated by the Peruvian airline LANSA. In the context of the video, it is the flight that tragically crashed on December 24, 1971, due to a lightning strike, marking it as the deadliest lightning strike in aviation history. The flight's story is central to the video's theme of survival against all odds.

💡Lightning Strike

A lightning strike is a natural phenomenon where a discharge of electricity occurs within clouds or between a cloud and the ground. In the video, the lightning strike is the catastrophic event that caused LANSA Flight 508 to crash, leading to the survival story of Juliane Koepcke, who was the sole survivor of the crash.

💡Juliane Koepcke

Juliane Koepcke is the central figure of the video's narrative, a 17-year-old girl who miraculously survived the crash of LANSA Flight 508 and spent 11 days alone in the Amazon rainforest. Her name is key to understanding the video's exploration of human resilience and survival skills in extreme conditions.

💡Amazon Rainforest

The Amazon Rainforest is the world's largest tropical rainforest, known for its biodiversity and challenging survival conditions. In the video, it serves as the backdrop for Juliane Koepcke's survival story, highlighting the harsh and yet surprisingly navigable environment she endured.

💡Survival

Survival in this context refers to the act of continuing to live or remain alive in spite of danger or hardship. The video's theme revolves around Juliane Koepcke's survival skills and determination, as she faced numerous challenges in the Amazon Rainforest after the plane crash.

💡Ornithologist

An ornithologist is a scientist who specializes in the study of birds. Juliane Koepcke's mother was an ornithologist, which indirectly helped Juliane survive by recognizing the behavior of a king vulture, indicating the presence of dead bodies nearby, a detail that showcases the relevance of her family's expertise in her survival.

💡Zoologist

A zoologist is a biologist who studies the behavior, physiology, and classification of animals. Juliane's father was a famous zoologist, and his advice about following water sources in the jungle to find rescue played a crucial role in her survival strategy.

💡Concussion

A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury that can cause confusion, memory loss, and disorientation. In the video, Juliane suffered a concussion from the crash, which affected her memory and initial awareness of her surroundings, adding to the complexity of her survival situation.

💡Rescue

Rescue refers to the act of saving a person or group of people from a dangerous situation. In the script, the concept of rescue is central as it details Juliane's efforts to find help and the eventual discovery by local men that led to her being taken to a hospital for treatment.

💡Werner Herzog

Werner Herzog is a renowned film director who was almost on LANSA Flight 508 but canceled his reservation at the last minute. His interest in Juliane Koepcke's story led him to create the documentary 'Wings of Hope,' which is an example of how her survival story has inspired others and become part of a broader cultural narrative.

💡Maggots

Maggots are the larval stage of a fly and are often associated with decay and infection. In the video, Juliane's arm was infected with maggots, which posed a serious threat to her health. Her quick thinking to use gasoline to remove them was a critical moment in her survival, illustrating her resourcefulness and determination.

Highlights

On December 24, 1971, LANSA Flight 508 was struck by lightning, leading to the deadliest lightning strike in aviation history.

Juliane Koepcke was the sole survivor of the crash, except for one 17-year-old girl who spent 11 days alone in the Amazon.

Juliane's survival story is a testament to her resilience and the role of her upbringing in the Peruvian rainforest.

During the crash, Juliane was sucked from the plane along with her seat, which may have slowed her fall and cushioned her impact.

Juliane's knowledge of the rainforest and its inhabitants, due to her parents' work as researchers, played a crucial role in her survival.

She suffered multiple injuries, including a broken collarbone, a deep laceration, and an infected cut, which she had to manage without medical help.

Juliane's resourcefulness is evident in her use of a bag of candy as her only sustenance during her time in the jungle.

Her ability to navigate the jungle and find water sources was instrumental in her survival and eventual rescue.

The discovery of a boat on the 10th day after the crash signaled hope and the possibility of rescue.

Juliane's quick thinking in using gasoline to treat her infected wound prevented a potentially life-threatening infection.

Her encounter with local Peruvian men, who initially mistook her for a ghost, led to her rescue and treatment at a local hospital.

Film Director Werner Herzog was almost on the flight but canceled his reservations, later creating a documentary inspired by Juliane's story.

Juliane's story is a unique example of survival against all odds, highlighting the importance of adaptability and resourcefulness.

Her experience in the rainforest taught her valuable lessons about life and the importance of understanding one's environment.

The story of Juliane Koepcke's survival is a reminder of the human spirit's resilience in the face of extreme adversity.

Transcripts

On December 24, 1971, LANSA 508 from Lima to Pucallpa, Peru

was struck by lightning.

Now considered the deadliest lightning strike

in aviation history, it caused a crash

that ultimately led to the demise of everyone onboard,

except for one 17-year-old girl.

Today, we're going to explain how Juliane Koepcke survived

a plane crash and 11 days alone in the Amazon.

But before we get started, be sure to subscribe

to the Weird History Channel.

And while you're at it, leave a comment

and let us know what stories of survival

you would like to hear more about.

OK, we go to the skies over Peru.

Koepcke's hazy disjointed recollections

of the flight and the crash are nothing short of pure nightmare

fuel.

It was the day after her senior prom

and just a few hours after her high school graduation

ceremony.

She was flying with her mother between Pucallpa and Lima

so they could celebrate with her father.

Along the way, the plane encountered a storm.

The sky became pitch black all around them.

And lightning was constantly flashing outside the windows.

While her mother was concerned, Juliane, who loved to fly,

didn't think much of it.

Suddenly, there was a bright light on the wing.

And her mother said, now, it's over.

The engine roared.

People screamed.

The plane plunged sharply towards the ground

and began to break apart.

Juliane's mother was thrown from her seat.

Finally, Juliane, along with her seat bench,

was sucked from the fuselage and out into the sky.

Koepcke says she felt a calming wind

as she plummeted toward the thick forest canopy, which

she later recalled as resembling green cauliflower or broccoli.

Her seat, which she was still belted to,

rotated like a helicopter blade.

She suspects this may have played a role in slowing

her descent and that the seat itself

must have cushioned her fall.

Yeah, think about that the next time a flight attendant

reminds you to buckle up.

Juliane blacked out before impact.

And due to a concussion, she retains no memory

of the next 20 hours or so.

She suspects she must have awakened during this period

and removed her seat belt because it was off

by the time she fully regained consciousness.

It was 9:00 AM the morning after the crash.

In fact, she could tell thanks to her watch,

which at this point was still functioning.

It was also pouring rain.

Koepcke was soaking wet, dirty, and partially

underneath her seat bench.

She crawled fully under to escape the rain while she

regained her strength.

According to Koepcke, I couldn't really feel anything.

It was like being wrapped in cotton balls.

With a lot of effort, I could only get up on my knees.

And then everything turned black again.

It would be a full day and a half

before she was able to get up and walk.

Juliane could tell her collarbone was badly broken.

It was a sharp break that was overlapping beneath her skin

but luckily had not punctured through.

She also had a deep laceration on her calf.

But because she was in shock, it wasn't bleeding too much.

Another cut on her arm had become infected with maggots.

She feared that this might mean the arm would eventually

have to be amputated.

But at this point, there was nothing she could do about it.

Doctors would later discover she also fractured her shin,

strained her vertebra, and tore her ACL.

Likely due to the effects of adrenaline,

she didn't feel any of those things until much later

after she had reached a hospital.

Once she felt strong enough, Juliane

forced herself to her feet.

Most people would probably be terrified to find themselves

alone and injured in the middle of a jungle teeming

with snakes, crocodiles, and all manner of poisonous flora

and fauna.

But Juliane Koepcke had a very unique childhood.

Her mother, a world-renowned ornithologist, and her father,

a famous zoologist, worked at a research station in--

would you believe it--

a Peruvian rainforest.

Yes, Juliane had been raised in a very similar area.

And her familiarity with the types of terrain

was a major factor in her survival.

It also meant she never became overly afraid of her situation.

Koepcke herself mused, I learned a lot about life

in the rainforest.

And it wasn't too dangerous.

It's not the green hell that the world always thinks.

No.

Juliane wasn't afraid for herself.

She was afraid for her mother.

Once she was able, Koepcke began to scout the area immediately

around her crash site for other survivors and resources.

She was careful to leave a trail since she knew how easy it

was to get lost in the jungle.

On the fourth day after the crash,

she heard a sound she recognized as a king vulture landing

in the forest.

She knew from her ornithologist mother

that this particular type of vulture

only landed when carrion or rotting flesh was

in the immediate vicinity.

Following the sound, she discovered the remains

of three other passengers.

Still strapped to their seats, they

had impacted the ground with such force

that they were buried 3 feet deep with only

their feet remaining visible.

One of the victims was a woman.

And Koepcke initially feared it might be her mother.

However, poking her with a stick,

she was able to discern that the woman had painted toenails,

which her mother did not.

During those first few days, Koepcke

would occasionally hear the sounds of rescue planes

overhead.

Because the forest canopy was so thick,

she wasn't able to see them.

More frustratingly, she could not get their attention.

Eventually, the sounds of the planes disappeared.

And she realized they were no longer searching for survivors.

She would later describe these as her most hopeless moments.

And she realized she would have to rely

on herself if she was going to escape the rainforest alive.

Finding water was as simple as licking droplets off leaves.

But finding food was no easy task.

She didn't have the tools necessary to fish or hack

at edible stems and roots.

And she knew a great deal of what else

grew in the rainforest was poisonous.

Though it wasn't much, Koepcke had

been lucky enough to discover a bag of candy

near where she landed.

That candy would be her only sustenance.

And she rationed it carefully, eating just a couple

of pieces each day.

Once it was gone, she experienced extreme hunger.

At one point, Juliane briefly considered

trying to catch and eat some wild frogs she had spotted

but discovered she was too weak and slow to get them.

This ultimately turned out to be a good thing since she later

learned they were venomous dart frogs that

likely would have ended her.

Juliane searched the area she landed and for other survivors.

But she didn't find any.

She did, however, find a small well.

It reminded her of some advice her father had given her

as a child.

He told her if she was ever lost in the jungle,

she should follow the water sources to find rescue.

The idea was that each tiny stream

would lead to a bigger one and eventually to one big enough

to be a water source for potential rescuers.

Juliane has stated that had she found other survivors,

she probably would have stayed put and waited with them.

In hindsight, she realized that likely

would have cost her her life.

Without anyone else to wait with,

she decided to start at the well and follow the water.

Progress was slow and difficult. Koepcke

was wearing only a short sleeveless mini

dress, which made the nights very cold for her.

Her watch had also stopped working,

which meant she had to keep a close eye on the sun

to tell time.

She was also missing a shoe, which

was particularly worrisome, given

that she knew there were snakes that

liked to camouflage themselves among the leaves on the forest

floor.

Complicating things even further was the fact

that she had also lost her glasses in the plane crash.

Taken together, all this meant that she had to constantly use

her remaining shoe to probe the path ahead of her

before she could take even one step.

Eventually, the creek she was following

became deep enough to walk in.

Despite the fact that Koepcke could see crocodiles slipping

in and out of the water, she knew they seldom

bothered humans and that by traveling by water

was ultimately safer than traveling by land.

As she followed the water, Koepcke

noticed that the way was often blocked by logs--

a sign that the area wasn't well traveled and might not

lead her to rescuers.

Blocking these discouraging thoughts out,

Juliane continued on.

Then on the 10th day after the crash of LANSA flight 508,

Koepcke spotted a boat.

At first, she thought she was hallucinating.

But she moved toward it and found herself actually

able to touch it.

Once she determined the boat was real, her adrenaline kicked in.

Near the riverbank where she spotted the boat,

Koepcke saw a path leading up into the forest.

Assuming her rescuers had gone in that direction,

she tried to make her own way up the path.

By this point, she was so weak she could only crawl.

Even worse, the maggots that had infected

the cut on her right arm were causing her intense pain,

as they tried to burrow further into the wound.

Luckily at the top of the path, she

came across a small hut that had a can of gasoline in it.

She recalled that in her childhood,

her father had used kerosene to treat

a dog who had a similar wound.

Juliane sucked the gasoline from the can

and applied it to her wound.

The pain was intense, but it worked.

She removed 30 maggots herself.

Her rescuers would later remove another 50.

But thanks to this quick-thinking action,

she never had to lose her arm.

With no one else in sight, Koepcke

tried to sleep in the hut under a tarp

but found the ground too hard.

She returned to the riverbank and spent the night there.

In the morning, she returned to the hut.

This time, she was discovered by three Peruvian men.

They were confused by her presence

and frightened by her bloodshot eyes and blond hair.

Koepcke later explained they believe in all sorts of ghosts

there.

And at first they thought it was one of these water

spirits called Yemania.

They are blond supposedly.

Luckily, Juliane spoke fluent Spanish

and was able to explain her situation to them

in their own language.

The next day these men took her downstream in their boat

to a nearby town where she was able to get treatment

at a local hospital.

Juliane was the only survivor of LANSA a flight 508.

But it's interesting to note the crash almost claimed one more.

Film Director Werner Herzog was almost on the flight.

But a last-minute change in plans

caused him to cancel his reservations.

Inspired by this twist of fate, he

would later create the documentary Wings of Hope

to tell the incredible tale of Juliane Koepcke's survival.

Do you think you could survive what Juliane did?

Let us know in the comments below.

And while you're at it, check out some of these other videos

from our Weird History.

[MUSIC PLAYING]