Many people believe that a crash-landed damaged aircraft will not be able to take off properly, only to realize that they have fallen into the trap of inertia when they realize that the B-25277 is most likely still capable of flying normally.

After rigorous analysis. The military-civilian joint investigation team believes that option 3 is extremely feasible. They quickly brought in new engines to replace the two damaged engines, used multiple cranes to lift the aircraft up, and inspected the landing gear system, and found that the front and rear landing gears were not seriously damaged due to the protection of the belly.

As a precautionary measure, they replaced the entire landing gear system. It's nothing compared to the loss of an aircraft, and insurance companies in particular welcome it, saving them millions of dollars in damages.

For airlines, it is far more economical to get the aircraft back into normal operation as soon as possible than to purchase a new aircraft, so they do not really want to receive compensation for the whole aircraft, but hope to be able to repair the B-25277 Y-8F-400 and put it back into operation in the shortest possible time.

For the troops, driving the plane away is the fastest way to complete the runway clearance.

Therefore, option three is undoubtedly a win-win-win scenario acceptable to all.

According to the requirements of both airlines and insurance companies, and under the guidance and requirements of the Civil Aviation Administration, the civil aviation repair organization quickly carried out the replacement of the engine. After the completion of the vehicle, with the assistance of the troops' maintenance, the ground test was carried out to ensure that the entire power system was completely normal. During this period, the unit's maintenance personnel also assisted in repairing the belly and slightly damaged wings to ensure that the aircraft could normally obtain sufficient lift when taxiing.

After all these preparations were completed, it was the last day of 2011, and it was on this day that the representatives of the Joint Investigation Team sent by Postal Airlines formally proposed to the troops that the B-25277 would be flown directly back to the factory by experienced pilots of the troops.

This task fell to Li Zhan and Liu Changxi, who was still stationed at the Xixian Field Station for training.

After the Xitai long-distance voyage training, Liu Changxi and his crew returned to the Xixian station from Dongfang City to continue the training mission. At this time, Li Zhan learned that Liu Changxi had more than 3,000 hours of flying experience in the Y-8 series aircraft.

Two mechanical engineers sent by the manufacturer were random.

Still, Li Zhan and Liu Changxi face an extremely challenging task. After reducing the weight as much as possible, the B-25277 was loaded with enough fuel to fly directly to the 012 aircraft factory in Zhonghan, and the take-off weight still reached 40 tons.

After repeated calculations, the result was that the plane could not take off smoothly using the 1,200-meter-long runway at Zhongnan Station anyway, and at least 300 meters of taxiing distance was needed, and the plane had no way to reduce weight.

When they had to consider reducing the amount of fuel they were carrying and refueling at the stop, Li Zhan and Liu Changxi, after careful analysis, believed that a take-off and direct flight to the 012 aircraft factory could avoid other unexpected situations, such as some unpredictable mechanical failures that would occur during take-off and landing at the stopover, which was particularly important for an aircraft that had not been completely repaired after a forced landing, and they were sure that the 40-ton plane could be lifted off smoothly on a runway of 1,200 meters.

But there is one prerequisite – tourist airports must be shut down for two hours, which can cause serious delays of five to seven flights.

Li Zhan and Liu Changxi's grasp came from the weather forecast on New Year's Day, there was a very good and stable southeast wind, and taking off from north to south could get more lift than before, but the plane had to continue to climb across one side of the tourist airport, and make a 180-degree turn over the tourist airport to fly to the 012 aircraft factory located 2,000 kilometers away in the north.

The troops approved their plan, and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation coordinated the window time for tourist airports, which would once again be suspended for two hours because of "air force activity on one side".

On the first day of 2012, the whole country was celebrating, at 8 o'clock in the morning, Li Zhan, Liu Changxi and two mechanical engineers of the manufacturer formed a temporary crew boarding, Li Zhan sat in the captain's position. One of the important reasons why the air division approved the flight plan of their temporary crew was because Li Zhan had an unparalleled understanding and unimaginable familiarity with this aircraft, and the leaders were very relieved.

Li Zhan skillfully carried out the pre-takeoff inspection, and confirmed the progress and results of each inspection item with the co-pilot Liu Changxi in strict accordance with the requirements.

"The hydraulics are fine."

"The flaps are normal."

"Rudder, normal."

"The powertrain is normal."

"Departure radio frequency 173.9, confirmed."

After a series of pre-takeoff checks, the B-25277 Y-8F-400, which was already on standby at the northernmost end of the runway, was ready to go, and in order to get the most run, the rear landing gear tires were almost attached to the edge of the northern end of the runway. Sometimes, a few tens of centimeters of running distance can affect the overall situation.

Li Zhan called the tower, "Tower, the preparations are completed before taking off, and you can take off at any time, over." ”

The method of calling is very different from that used in the civil aviation system, and there are differences in the way of expression and content.

"Stand by and wait, wait for the weather, it's over." The commander in the tower was Tang Guozheng, and most of his attention was on the meteorologist's side.

The aircraft should wait for the maximum windward force to take off, so that it can take off smoothly from the runway that is not long enough.

Today's weather is fine, and clear skies are another distinctive feature of winter in the central and southern regions, which is very different from the accident day when rain and snow intersected a month ago. However, the ground temperature is not high, always between 2 and 5 degrees Celsius, and it rises a little by midday, but it is still cold.

In this case, there is no need to activate the de-icing system, so all four engines can be used to generate thrust. At this time, the weather does not change drastically in a short period of time, and it is easy to judge by visual observation.

After the meteorologist reported loudly and Shu Qi gave a thumbs up, Tang Guozheng quickly gave the B-25277 Y-8F-400 take-off order.

"You can take off on crutches in two, five, two, repeat, you can take off, over!"

Li Zhan and Liu Changxi stepped on the brakes at the same time, and then pushed the throttle stick to the end, "Receive it on two or five turns, take off!" ”

After the thrust generated by the engine exceeded the braking force, Li Zhan and Liu Changxi released the brakes at the same time, and the plane began to slide forward.

"Fifty!"

"Eighty!"

Liu Changxi reported the latest running speed according to the regulations.

"One hundred and one!"

"One hundred and three!"

Immediately to the so-called V1 speed.

A series of operations are smooth and hearty, and it will soon reach the take-off speed.

However, at the beginning of this critical moment, Li Zhan suddenly shouted: "Cancel the takeoff!" Repeat, cancel takeoff! ”

At the same time as he shouted, he took the corresponding emergency cancellation take-off action, the throttle lever quickly pulled back the flap to the deceleration position and stepped on the landing gear tire brake, just three seconds before reaching the irreversible take-off node, Li Zhan completed the emergency cancellation take-off operation in the shortest possible time.

The plane slowly came to a halt at the end of the runway.

"What's going on?" Liu Changxi's heart fell and asked.

Li Zhan's chin lifted, "Look." ”

Liu Changxi raised his head and looked in the direction of the nose of the plane, and he was scared into a cold sweat without looking at it, because what he saw was a series of birds flying in front of him, group after flock, just crossing the plane's take-off route.

"How can there be birds? Where did they come from? Liu Changxi couldn't wait to wipe a cold sweat.

If there is no emergency suspension of the take-off procedure, the plane will definitely be in close contact with the birds after climbing off the ground, and below is the valley floor that is thousands of feet deep, and there is really no place to die.

Li Zhan said, "There are many wild birds in the primeval forest around, and they are basically national-level protected animals. Didn't I just hit a bird to land here some time ago, and this is no joke at all. ”

He immediately reported the situation to the tower, and Tang Guozheng and several leaders of the Civil Aviation Administration, airlines, and insurance companies were also scared into a cold sweat. If it weren't for the captain's sharp eyes to see a large flock of birds that broke through, a bird collision accident might not have been avoidable. There are no birds hidden in the green forest background on the control tower, and the bird repellent facilities in this field cannot absolutely guarantee that this station located deep in the forest is absolutely free from bird threats.

The tractor towed the plane back to its take-off position, and the bird team was dispatched urgently, and all the officers and men of the field service company were also dispatched to carry out the emergency bird removal operation.

The leader of the airline company is a pilot, and after he saw the plane stop steadily less than 100 meters away from the end of the runway, he couldn't help but say to Tang Guozheng while putting his heart down, "Chief of Staff Tang, thanks to the pilots of the troops, the planes of our airlines may not be able to stop safely." Captain Lee's movements were very decisive and quick. ”

The insider saw the doorway, and he was still a veteran pilot who had driven the Yun-8.

Tang Guozheng was afraid for a while, but on the surface, he was calm and light, and said, "Comrade Li Zhan's level represents the level of our troops, of course, there is still room for improvement. However, Comrade Li Zhan is indeed very familiar with the Y-8 aircraft. ”

"It should have been almost V1 just now." said a director of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.

Tang Guozheng said, "Three seconds away." ”

Three seconds later, the plane would have rushed off the runway and plunged headlong down the hill.

Everyone gasped and was afraid, and the problem of the bird flock suddenly attracted attention. This issue has obviously not received the attention it deserves until then, and the focus has been on the relationship between the length of the runway and the shortest glide distance for the aircraft to take off.

It is clear that flocks of birds are a huge threat to flight safety.

"Chief of Staff Tang, the troops should have a way to clean up the birds around the runway in a short period of time, right?" The director of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation asked.

Tang Guozheng said confidently, "Yes." ”

He immediately gave an order to the staff officers around him, "Send a squad with guns and live ammunition!" ”

The Civil Aviation Administration and the insurance company looked at each other, this is to fight birds? The leader of the airline, who was a pilot of the Air Force transport plane, thoughtfully understood what Tang Guozheng was going to do.