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Juliane Koepcke

Juliane Koepcke is a German-Peruvian mammalogist and biologist known for being the sole survivor of the 1971 LANSA Flight 508 crash in Peru.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Juliane Koepcke is a German-Peruvian mammalogist and biologist known for being the sole survivor of the 1971 LANSA Flight 508 crash in Peru. After falling from the aircraft and surviving 11 days alone in the Amazon rainforest, she later built a scientific career focused on bats and mammalogy.

Early life

Juliane Koepcke was born in Lima, Peru, on 10 October 1954, to German zoologists Maria and Hans-Wilhelm Koepcke. Her family background strongly influenced her later scientific career.

LANSA Flight 508 crash

On 24 December 1971, Koepcke survived the crash of LANSA Flight 508, which broke apart after a lightning strike. She fell with the aircraft while strapped to her seat and was the only survivor.

Survival in the Amazon

Koepcke spent 11 days alone in the Peruvian Amazon rainforest before reaching help at a lumberjack camp. Her survival story became internationally known and has been widely retold in books, documentaries, and interviews.

Scientific career

Koepcke later studied biology and became a mammalogist specialising in bats. She has been associated with the Zoological State Collection in Munich in library and administrative roles, and continued research connected to tropical mammals.

Key facts

  • Koepcke was born in Lima, Peru, on 10 October 1954.
  • She is the daughter of German zoologists Maria and Hans-Wilhelm Koepcke.
  • In 1971, she survived the crash of LANSA Flight 508 after being struck by lightning and falling with the aircraft while strapped to her seat.
  • She survived 11 days alone in the Peruvian Amazon rainforest before reaching help.
  • She later worked as a mammalogist and specialised in bats.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Juliane Koepcke?
She is a German-Peruvian biologist and mammalogist best known as the sole survivor of LANSA Flight 508.
What happened to Juliane Koepcke in 1971?
She survived the breakup and crash of LANSA Flight 508 after a lightning strike, falling with part of the aircraft into the Amazon rainforest.
How long did Juliane Koepcke survive alone in the jungle?
She survived for 11 days alone in the Peruvian Amazon before finding help.
What did Juliane Koepcke do later in life?
She became a biologist and mammalogist, with a focus on bats and tropical wildlife.
Where was Juliane Koepcke born?
She was born in Lima, Peru, on 10 October 1954.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juliane_Koepcke
    Supports: Birth date and place, German-Peruvian identity, sole survival of LANSA Flight 508, 11 days in the Amazon, scientific career.
  2. Wikipedia (German) — https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juliane_Koepcke
    Supports: Biographical details, scientific roles, survival of the crash, injuries, and later work.
  3. Wikipedia (Spanish) — https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juliane_Koepcke
    Supports: Birth data, German-Peruvian zoologist identity, and status as sole survivor of the LANSA 508 accident.
  4. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-17476615
    Supports: Her account of surviving the plane crash and being alone in the jungle.
  5. VICE — https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-woman-who-fell-to-earth-508-v17n9/
    Supports: Biographical context, family background, and the sequence of survival and reunion with her father.