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We have to admit that it’s not often you hear of a pilot landing his plane on the side of a mountain and surviving, but this is precisely what happened during the African leg of the International Sailplane Grand Prix.

A foreign pilot was reported to have experienced difficulties during his flight over the mountains west of Villiersdorp, and with no alternative, the expert aviator managed to crash land his glider against the rugged terrain of the mountain.

The pilot was lucky to escape serious injury and used his cellphone to relay coordinates and information to a rescue helicopter dispatched to the scene. He was airlifted from the wreckage and transported to Groote Schuur Hospital with lower back injuries but in good spirits.

“I feel surprisingly well; I had what felt like at least 1 million guardian angels helping me”

According to aviation experts,  gliders are extremely safe and accidents are not unheard of, but they are rare. With no propulsion of their own, these aeroplanes can remain in the air indefinitely if conditions are suitable, with only pilot fatigue requiring them to land.

The pilot’s name has not yet been released, but whoever he is, someone please give that man a Bell’s.

[source: Instagram/mcsamountainrescue]