Galiotto was reportedly taking pictures outside the plane’s window when strong winds blew his phone out of his hand. The device fell from a height of approximately 2,000 feet, and at the time it seemed the phone was a goner. But when he checked the “Find My” app, presumably on another device, he discovered that the phone was still sending out a signal.
Not only did the device survive the fall, it recorded the whole thing, including Gialotto’s reaction when he found it. But what we really want to know is what kind of case and screen protector he was using.