Juliane Köpcke
Sole survivor of LANSA Flight 508 plane crash in the Amazon
Juliane Margaret Köpcke (born October 10, 1954) is a Franco-Peruvian biologist and author best known for surviving the crash of LANSA Flight 508 on August 26, 1971, in the Peruvian Amazon rainforest. At 17 years old, Köpcke was the sole survivor of the 92 people aboard the aircraft, which was struck by lightning during a thunderstorm. After the crash, she spent 10 days navigating through dense jungle with only minor injuries, following a stream downstream and avoiding jaguars and anacondas. She was rescued by Ecuadorian loggers who found her near death from infection and dehydration. Her extraordinary story has been documented in books and documentaries, including the film 'Jungle' (2017). Köpcke went on to become a biologist studying animal behavior in Peru, continuing her connection to the rainforest that nearly claimed her life. Her resilience and survival instincts have made her an international icon of human endurance.
Historical Figure
Peruvian
1954
Thinking about the name
Juliane
Latin origin
“A German and Scandinavian feminine form of Julian, derived from the Latin 'Iulianus.' Juliane has a crisp, elegant European sensibility and was particularly common in German-speaking countries during the 20th century. It strikes a balance between classical and modern, with understated sophistication.”