A cockroach displayed commendable determination by holding on to the window of an aircraft in the air, and it has taken the internet by storm. This incident, witnessed by a female passenger on a China Southern Airlines flight, has left people intrigued and amused.
The Unusual Scene
On August 16th, a female passenger embarked on a flight from Xishuangbanna to Ningbo with China Southern Airlines. During the journey, she encountered an utterly unexpected sight—a cockroach adhering to the plane’s window.
What made this sighting even more bewildering was the insect’s ability to cling to the window’s surface without any apparent struggle or fear of falling.
A Puzzling Observation
The passenger, Ms. Guo, diligently observed the cockroach for an impressive three hours as it hung onto the window while the aircraft soared thousands of feet above the ground.
The perplexity deepened as she contemplated why a cockroach would choose to position itself on an airplane window, high above the clouds.
Unveiling the Truth
As the flight continued, Ms. Guo remained vigilant, closely monitoring the cockroach’s behavior until she reached her destination in Ningbo.
The cockroach’s resilience was evident; it showed no signs of budging, even in the face of the plane’s movement and turbulence. However, China Southern Airlines later revealed that the cockroach was not braving the elements as it initially seemed.
Behind the Scenes
In a subsequent report, China Southern Airlines clarified that the cockroach observed by Ms. Guo was nestled between the inner surface of the aircraft’s windshield and the inner lining.
This revelation shifted the narrative, explaining that the cockroach’s perceived flight was, in fact, an optical illusion created by its position between the glass and the inner structure of the aircraft.
The Mystery Solved
It was plausible that the cockroach had crawled onto the window from the cargo or luggage on the plane. This migration made it appear as though the cockroach was “flying” on the outside of the window. In reality, it was shielded from the elements by the aircraft’s structure.
Going Viral
Despite the debunking of the cockroach’s airborne endeavor, the viral video continued to captivate audiences. The footage garnered a staggering 45 million views on Douyin and other social media platforms.
Internet users were quick to draw parallels with the cockroach’s resilience and its nickname in Chinese culture—”Xiao Qiang,” which translates to “Little Strong One” in English.
Unbelievable, A passenger who didn't buy a plane ticket.😎
— Sharing Travel (@TripInChina) August 17, 2023
It finally succeeded in reaching its destination.
Cockroaches are the most powerful creatures on earth. pic.twitter.com/agijdytV6V