April 26, 2005 at 5:13 pm
In the authoritative Chinese (China) news site Xin Hua Net at
http://news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2005-03/16/content_2698964.htm
and some other Chinese (China) news sites, such as
http://mil.qianlong.com/4919/2005/03/15/228@2552055.htm
http://www.chinamil.com.cn/site1/xwpdxw/2005-03/15/content_158952.htm
http://www.chinanews.com.cn/news/2005/2005-03-15/26/550760.shtml
an article dated 15 March 2005, and with stock photos of the concerned aircraft type and pilots, reported:
On 13 January 2005, near Tian Jin City, in the Yang Cun area, a PLAAF jet fighter, probably a J-7 two-seat trainer variant, made an emergency landing.
It belonged to the PLAAF aerobatic team Ba Yi (literally “Eight One”, meaning “August 1st”, the PLA birthday). 13 January 2005 was their first day of exercise after the (Western) new year.
Its pilots were Pilot Second Class LEI Ti Hua in the front seat, and Pilot Special Class LU Bing in the back seat. Lei had almost 700 flight hours. Lu had over 2,000 flight hours.
At 13:29, after manoeuvring at altitude 300 m, it climbed to 3,200 m. After more manoeuvring, it descended to 500 m. When Lei pulled back the stick, he felt its power decreased, and levelled the aircraft.
The electricity loss warning light came on, and the engine tachometer decreased.
20 km from the AB and at altitude 1,500 m, the pilots reported the electricity loss and engine stop to the ground controller, and were authorised to eject.
At 13:38 and altitude 1,100 m, the engine tachometer increased, and the pilots decided to climb and RTB. The engine tachometer fluctuated between high and low, and each time it was high, the pilots attempted to climb.
At 13:42 and altitude 1,500 m, the aircraft reached the AB and prepared to lower its landing gear. However, it was 400 m higher than normal, and approaching the wrong end of the runway: the barrier net was at the end of the runway closer to the aircraft, and if the aircraft overran the free end of the runway…
The pilots riskily decided to circle around the AB.
At 13:43, it lowered its landing gear.
At 13:45, it touched down and deployed its drag chute. Its engine revved up again, and its pilots shut down its engine. It stopped about 458 m from the far end of the runway.