On January 26, 1972, Vesna Vulović survived the world’s highest fall from an airplane, setting a Guinness World Record. Discover the extraordinary story of her survival and resilience.
On January 26, 1972, JAT Flight 367, traveling from Copenhagen to Belgrade, exploded mid-air over Czechoslovakia. The suspected cause was a bomb planted in the baggage compartment, though no one was ever officially charged. The plane broke apart at an altitude of 33,000 feet, and of the 28 people on board, only one survived. That remarkable survivor was Vesna Vulović, a 22-year-old Yugoslav flight attendant, who miraculously lived through the fall, setting the world record for the highest fall without a parachute.
Vesna had been trapped in the tail section of the plane by a food cart when the explosion occurred. The tail of the aircraft detached and fell separately, landing in a remote, snowy forested area, which helped cushion the impact. A local villager and former medic, Bruno Honke, discovered Vesna alive in the wreckage and immediately provided medical care until rescuers arrived. Although she suffered severe injuries, including a fractured skull and broken legs, Vesna's resilience shone through as she eventually recovered.
Remarkably, Vesna had no memory of the incident, but she later returned to work for JAT in a desk role. Her survival became an international sensation, with Guinness World Records officially recognizing her as the world record holder for surviving the highest fall without a parachute.
In Yugoslavia, Vesna became a national heroine. Despite the life-changing injuries she sustained, she lived for decades after the crash and frequently spoke about the importance of peace and the value of life. Her extraordinary survival remains one of the most awe-inspiring accounts of human resilience in aviation history, inspiring countless individuals around the world to never give up, no matter the odds.
Vesna Vulović's story is not just a tale of survival; it’s a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the will to live.
Credit to the rightful owner for sharing the remarkable story of Vesna Vulović's miraculous survival and resilience.