1. Juliane Koepcke: Sole Survivor of LANSA Flight 508
At just 17 years old, Juliane Koepcke miraculously survived the crash of LANSA Flight 508 over the Peruvian rainforest in 1971. Thrown from the plane, she endured ten harrowing days alone—battling injuries, hunger, and the dangers of the jungle. Her survival was a mix of incredible willpower, practical jungle knowledge, and sheer luck. Koepcke’s story remains a powerful example of courage in the face of overwhelming adversity. Learn more at Smithsonian Magazine
