In 1997, a Flying Leopard fighter was flying at supersonic speed. Suddenly, there was a loud bang, and the rear cover of the cockpit of the fighter plane was lifted off after an air leak! The pilot was instantly unconscious by the impact of the powerful air current, and the fighter plane fell straight down!
In China at the end of the 20th century, in the wave of scientific and technological and military modernization, flight tests have always been an important link in evaluating and refining the performance of new fighters. In this era, every flight test is full of unknowns and challenges, especially for those test pilots who are on the front line, every lift-off is an adventure that brushes shoulders with death. Against such a background, the story of Tan Shoucai, deputy head of the test flight regiment, and his comrade-in-arms Peng Lianqi began on a sunny morning.
On 19 June, a new fighter plane, codenamed "Flying Leopard," was ready to take on a key test flight mission at the test site. This is not the first time Tan Shoucai has piloted this supersonic fighter, but every time it takes off, there are different challenges and risks. The task was to test the supersonic performance of the fighter and the on-board radar system, and for the test pilots it was another test of their skill and courage.
After the plane took off, the cloudless blue sky became the background of this test flight. Tan Shoucai and Peng Lianqi, two battle-hardened test pilots, once again faced the challenges and unknowns of flight. The engines of the fighter planes let out a continuous and powerful roar, and as the speed gradually increased, the plane seemed to break free from the constraints of gravity and rushed towards the higher sky. The shock brought by this speed is both familiar and exciting for Tan Shoucai and Peng Lianqi. They keep in touch through their headsets, exchanging their data and feelings. The plane soon reached a speed of more than 1,000 kilometers per hour, and the altitude also rose to an airspace of about 7,000 meters, and this sky became a testing ground for them.
Everything seems to be going according to a predetermined plan. The performance of the aircraft was unexpectedly good, the on-board systems were operating stably, and all test indicators were within normal limits. Under such conditions, Tan Shoucai and Peng Lianqi have reason to believe that this test flight will be successfully completed. Their conversations are full of jargon, but behind every sentence is a trust in each other and a focus on the task.
Just as the two were secretly rejoicing in the performance of the plane, an accident on the way back completely broke the peace. A loud bang suddenly sounded in the back of the plane, followed by a strong tremor. This feeling is definitely unusual for Tan Shoucai and Peng Lianqi, who have experienced countless flights. The moment the rear cover of the cockpit fell off unexpectedly, a powerful airflow instantly rushed in, the pressure and temperature in the fighter plane changed suddenly, and the air was full of noise and chaos.
Tan Shoucai, as the main controller of the aircraft, felt this huge change for the first time. The strong airflow made him almost unable to breathe, and the ringing in his ears and the sharp pain in his head made him feel unprecedented discomfort in an instant.
In this extreme situation, he tries to stay awake and tries to find a solution through the console. However, as the situation deteriorated, Tan Shoucai felt that his consciousness became more and more blurred, and his body gradually disobeyed until he completely lost consciousness.
By this time, the plane had already begun to fall uncontrollably. When Tan Shoucai lost consciousness, control of the plane also disappeared. Peng Lianqi was in the back seat, and although he was also affected by the impact of the airflow, he was in relatively good condition.
He tried to call Tan Shoucai through an internal communication device, but received no response. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Peng quickly assessed the existing situation and possible solutions. He knew that if the plane was not stabilized in time, they would be in danger of a direct crash.
In this life-and-death moment, Peng Lianqi remained calm and rational despite the anxiety and uncertainty in his heart. He knows that as pilots, courage and expertise in the face of crises are their greatest reliance. Peng Lianqi began to try to stabilize the aircraft's attitude through the auxiliary control system, and although he could not fully control the aircraft, his efforts bought Tan Shoucai valuable time to regain consciousness.
Just on the verge of the plane crashing, Tan Shoucai miraculously regained consciousness. He quickly assessed the current situation and, with years of experience and instinctive reactions, urgently adjusted the aircraft's attitude. Although the rear cover of the cockpit has been lost and part of the aircraft's control system has also been affected, Tan Shoucai and Peng Lianqi have finally stabilized the aircraft's falling speed through close cooperation.
After a period of intense and lengthy effort, the aircraft's attitude gradually stabilized. Thanks to the joint efforts of the two, the plane finally landed safely over the airport. Although this dangerous flight test was full of challenges and unknowns, it also proved the courage and professional skills of the test pilots, and at the same time contributed valuable experience and lessons to the development of China's aviation industry.
