What Is The iPhone Case That Survived A 16,000-Foot Fall From An Alaska Airlines Plane?

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In an extraordinary tale of survival, an iPhone recently endured an over three-mile fall out of an Alaska Airlines plane, surviving intact thanks to its protective iPhone case.

The incident occurred January 6, 2024 aboard Alaska Airlines flight 1282, which rapidly depressurized shortly after takeoff when a cabin door suddenly detached at 16,000 feet. Chaotic wind swirled through the fuselage, sending phones and other items hurtling out into the open air over Oregon. After an emergency landing, passengers were rattled but safe. As for their belongings, including cell phones… Not so much.

Yet in a stroke of unbelievable luck, passenger Cuong Tran would be reunited with his ejected iPhone 14 Pro Max days later – fully intact and still snuggly inside in its iPhone case.

The iPhone Case That Survived A 16,000 Foot Fall From An Alaska Airlines Plane

When walking along the side of a road, Twitter user Seanathan Bates found an iPhone on the ground. After a quick look, he was able to determine it belonged to one of the Alaska Airlines passengers.

“Found an iPhone on the side of the road… Still in airplane mode with half a battery and open to a baggage claim for #AlaskaAirlines ASA1282 Survived a 16,000 foot drop perfectly in tact!”

@SeanSafyre

Somehow, whether thanks to aerodynamics or simply bouncing off treetops, Tran’s iPhone survived terminal velocity completely unscathed. It still had half a charge and was even displaying Tran’s flight itinerary on an open baggage claim notification.

If you read through the comments of his Twitter post (I still refuse to call it X), everyone wanted to know what was the Alaska Airlines iPhone case that survived this 16,000 foot fall from the sky? Well, we finally know the answer:(Amazon link) Spigen Cryo Armor ($23+ via Amazon).

Spigen Cryo Armor iPhone Case Protects Phone From 16,000-Foot Skydive

The rugged Spigen iPhone case features a hardy exterior shell plus interior foam padding to shield against drops, dings, and other impacts. And that armor was definitely put to the test after the equivalent of over 44 football field lengths in terrifying free fall!

Maybe the next iteration of these cases should be called Spigen Alaskan Armor instead and take advange of this incredible accomplishment?!

Spigen quickly trumpeted the iPhone case’s unbelievable protection across social media and proudly posted, “MYSTERY SOLVED: IT WAS US!”

To think a slim sleeve of plastic and padding could emerge triumphant after such an extreme altitude plunge! That’s one powerful product case study. I’m sure the marketing team at Spigen were absolutely elated.

Authorities are still investigating the incident. But for now, Cuong Tran should count his blessings that – whether via outstanding design or unbelievable coincidence – his iPhone emerged intact from a mechanical crisis miles above Oregon.

The iPhone That Survived a 16,000-Foot Fall... Thanks To Its Awesome iPhone Case ... #Spigen #AlaskaAirlines @SpigenWorld @AlaskaAir @SeanSafyre #ASA1282 #iPhoneCase #iPhone Share on X