The Miracle at 33,000 Feet: How Vesna Vulović Survived the Highest Fall in History | E185 episode artwork

EPISODE · Sep 29, 2025 · 38 MIN

The Miracle at 33,000 Feet: How Vesna Vulović Survived the Highest Fall in History | E185

from The CRUX: True Survival Stories · host Bleav + Kaycee McIntosh + Julie Henningsen

In this episode of 'The Crux: True Survival Stories,' hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen delve into the astonishing tale of Vesna Vulović, a Serbian flight attendant who miraculously survived a fall from over 33,000 feet without a parachute. The episode explores Vesna's early life, the fateful flight in 1972, and the extraordinary series of events that led to her survival. It also discusses the psychological and political aftermath of her experience. With detailed storytelling and insightful commentary, this episode celebrates Vesna's incredible resilience and the unyielding human spirit. Time Stamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:11 Introducing Vesna's Story 02:09 Vesna's Early Life and Aspirations 06:26 The Fateful Flight 16:10 Miraculous Survival and Rescue 24:27 Life After the Crash 30:36 Legacy and Final Years 36:45 Conclusion References: 1.     "JAT Flight 367" - Wikipedia. Comprehensive details about the flight, crash investigation, and official findings. 2.     "Vesna Vulović" - Wikipedia. Biographical information, personal life, and political activism. 3.     "How Vesna Vulović survived the highest fall ever with no parachute" - Guinness World Records (April 2022). Official record details and survival analysis. 4.     "JAT Flight 367, A Cabin Crew Perspective: The Woman Who Fell To Earth" - Simple Flying (January 2023). Aviation industry perspective on the crash. 5.     "The Miraculous Survival Story of Vesna Vulović" - Bygonely (February 2024). Detailed biographical account and historical context. 6.     "Life After Death – Vesna Vulovic: Survivor's Guilt" - Europe Between East And West (May 2019). Analysis of psychological impact and later life struggles. 7.     "Remembering Vesna Vulović" - CBC Radio (December 2016). Interview excerpts and obituary coverage. 8.     "THE SERBIAN WOMAN WHO DEFEATED DEATH" - Serbian Times (February 2025). Cultural perspective and legacy in Serbia. 9.     Various aviation safety reports and Czech Civil Aviation Authority findings regarding the bombing investigation and crash analysis. http://patreon.com/TheCruxTrueSurvivalPodcast Email us! [email protected] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecruxpodcast/ Get schooled by Julie in outdoor wilderness medicine! https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Sep 29, 2025

Embed this episode

On January 26, 1972, 22-year-old Serbian flight attendant Vesna Vulović survived a 33,000-foot fall without a parachute when JAT Flight 367 exploded over Czechoslovakia, setting a world record that still stands today. Her miraculous survival and subsequent life as a pro-democracy activist made her an enduring symbol of human resilience until her death in 2016.

Distinct summary based on available episode metadata or transcript content.

NOW PLAYING

The Miracle at 33,000 Feet: How Vesna Vulović Survived the Highest Fall in History | E185

0:00 38:00

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of The CRUX: True Survival Stories?

This episode is 38 minutes long.

When was this The CRUX: True Survival Stories episode published?

This episode was published on September 29, 2025.

Can I download this The CRUX: True Survival Stories episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!