Chapter 501: Chapter 501
Liu Zhizhong, however, hadn't written any sort of last will, and he couldn't be bothered to switch his phone on again.
Let's take things as they come!
If... it really... happens, then it's fate!
If... it doesn't... that too is fate!
According to Secretary Ma's reasoning, if I survive, then I have an ironclad destiny, nothing to fear, and will have a close shave without harm!
People exhibit strange behaviors when faced with despair or an imminent crisis: some cry, some stare blankly, some resort to the mysticism of fate, and some simply break down and go mad...
And in the cockpit, the pilot who truly could be called a hero was operating solo, truly manly, and certainly worthy of his 15 years as a fighter pilot.
He quickly contacted the ground, requesting sufficient firefighting and rescue arrangements, as well as medical assistance, and to clear Changrong Airport's runway number 3.
On the right-hand side of runway number 3, on that long strip of greenery, he ordered that within twenty minutes, all the firefighting air cushions should be fully laid out, one layer on top of another, with the joins securely fastened.
The width of these air cushions needed to be twenty meters, with a length of over two hundred meters, as close to the end of the grass as possible, near the large firefighting reservoir. Also, the edges of the firefighting reservoir had to have all metal guardrails removed, and even the concrete bollards would need to be completely covered with air cushions.
Naturally, it goes without saying that temporary navigation lights would need to be set up on both sides of the air cushion zone to assist his landing observation.
To tell the truth, the ground was already hectic, the entire airport tense with anticipation.
Meanwhile, the pilot began circling in the air to dump fuel, aiming for the most ideal lightweight descent.
At the same time, he turned on the broadcast and notified all passengers that due to air traffic control, the aircraft would need to circle above the airport for approximately 20 minutes before landing.
When everything on the ground was ready, the heroic pilot commenced his divine operation, fully embracing the protagonist's halo, dominant as ever.
He utilized his ample knowledge of the aircraft, lowering altitude, slowing down, continuously slowing down, always decelerating.
On the ground, hundreds of pairs of eyes were focused on everything, hearts suspended in mid-air. Especially when the belly of the aircraft almost touched the ground, many people couldn't bear to watch, closing their eyes, covering their faces, some women even bowed their heads and wept, unable to utter a sound.
Finally, the first loud bang rang out, sending vibrations through the crowd.
The pilot used his precise visual judgment, making contact between the aircraft and the layer of air cushions so that the centerline of the aircraft nearly coincided with the centerline of the cushions.
He had already shut off the engines and simultaneously executed a nose-up pulling maneuver, allowing the rear of the aircraft's belly to touch the firefighting air cushions.
With the first loud bang, the high-energy air cushions began to burst, followed by layer upon layer of explosions, bangs after bangs sounding nonstop, with plumes of grass-pulp-colored smoke rising from the ground.
The aircraft's body slid and scraped across the layer of air cushions, blasting forward.
The aircraft shook, continually shaking, yet it almost always maintained a nose-up, tail-down attitude.
This short two hundred and thirty meter slide was crucial. When the slide came to an end, the nose finally dipped a little, nearly parallel to the ground.
Then, the nose plunged into the large firefighting reservoir and after rushing nearly forty meters, came to a complete halt, landing safely.
From the first explosion to the complete stop, it took just less than 25 seconds. The passengers on the plane had hardly any time to react before they were safe.
Then the pilot's announcement came: "We've had a serious malfunction with our landing gear, but we have landed safely. Please stay orderly, follow the rescue instructions, and disembark in turn. Ningnan Airlines, with one hundred percent professionalism and the fullest dedication to service, will ensure your safe travels!"
Liu Zhizhong exhaled a sigh of relief, thinking to himself: My life is truly tough! Heroic pilot, you're incredible, your destiny is even tougher! Tʜe sourcᴇ of thɪs content ɪs 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩•𝗳𝗂𝗋𝖾•𝕟𝕖𝕥
At that moment, the entire plane's passengers, still unsettled, erupted into cheers. Looking out the windows at the flashing lights of the firefighting and medical rescue teams, as well as police lights, it felt almost like a dream. But nearby, the brightly lit city glowed with prosperity and splendor.
Soon, they began to disembark in sequence.
Liu Zhizhong was in first class and got out quite quickly.
After he came down the emergency slide, two police officers immediately approached him, guarding him on either side, one of them even hurriedly said, "Heroic comrade, please come with us to the side. Do you need medical assistance?"
Liu Zhizhong remained composed and followed them away.
Those on the ground in the know, the higher-ups, were all aware that it was he who saved the pilot, and the pilot saved everyone on board. He was a hero, without a doubt.
Still, looking back at the landing scene, witnessing the urgency of the rescue operations, was quite shocking. To be on the safe side, the firefighting foam was sprayed into the sky, covering the aircraft, creating a stunning scene under all the lights.
But the sense of surviving a disaster still bubbled up within. So much so, that when he got into a special police car, he was startled to see a smiling, half-aged man wearing the badge of a Public Security Province Department chief, who grasped his hand firmly and said in not-so-standard Mandarin, "Liu Zhizhong, you've been through a lot! Anything on your mind?"
Indeed, the crew knew his seat number, could check his ID card, and find all his relevant information.
Liu Zhizhong ended up saying, "Comrade secretary, I think learning some martial arts wouldn't hurt. But the current economic environment... well, it's tough to say..."