Pilot's Lucky Escape As Jet Crashes In Field
A
fighter jet pilot taking part in an air
exhibition in China was forced to eject from his plane just moments before it crashed and burst into flames.
The moment the air display near the city of Xi'an in Pucheng county went badly wrong was caught on camera.
The fighter jet, known as Flying Leopard, was taking part in the five-day China International General Aviation Convention when it plummeted to earth.
Also known as the JH-7, the two-seater fighter is a stalwart of the Chinese military.
As the jet began to nose-dive, the pilot managed to eject in time and landed safely in a field.
One of the air show organisers, He Hui, said the pilot was unhurt and there were no injuries on the ground.
China fighter jet crashes at air show, pilot missing
A
fighter jet plunged to the ground and exploded as it took part in an
air display at a show in northern China Friday, leaving one pilot
missing, organisers and state media said.
China's state-run television CCTV showed images of the Chinese-made
plane falling from the sky and bursting into flames when it hit the
ground at the show in Xian, capital of Shaanxi province.
"One pilot parachuted out of the plane and is alive, the search for
another pilot is ongoing," the China International General Aviation
Convention -- organisers of the air show -- told AFP in a statement.
"There were no casualties on the ground."
The organisers did not say what type of fighter plane was involved in
the crash. The official Xinhua news agency said it was a two-seat,
fighter-bomber Flying Leopard -- or JH-7 -- a model officially launched
in December 1988.
But CCTV said it was a Xiaolong ("Fierce Dragon") fighter jet -- or
FC-1 -- which is the result of a joint Sino-Pakistani development
programme that started in 1999.
"The plane had some malfunction and an investigation team has been
sent to the scene," a spokeswoman at the aviation convention held in
Xian's Pucheng Neifu airport told AFP earlier.
Xinhua reporters who were at the air display said they saw heavy
smoke billowing from the ground after the crash, but added the show was
continuing.
According to the People's Daily newspaper, some 100 foreign and
domestic planes are being shown at the air show, and around 30 aircraft
are putting on displays.
Hungarian, Swedish, US and Lithuanian aerobatic teams have been
invited to participate in the three-day show, which is expected to
attract around 100,000 people, it added.
The accident is the latest to hit China's air force.
In January 2007, a military aircraft crashed in a southern Chinese
city after a mid-air explosion but the pilot survived, according to
press reports.
In June of the previous year, an early warning aircraft crashed in
China's eastern Anhui province, killing all 40 people on board -- an
accident described as the "worst air disaster in the history of China's
air force".
Two months before the Anhui crash, a jet fighter came down on the southern island of Hainan after a mid-air explosion.
And in 2004, a Chinese F-7 fighter jet on a training mission over
central Hubei province crashed into civilian housing, resulting in the
death of a child on the ground.
Occupy Wall Street rallies have rippled from Asia through Europe and back to the US and Canada.
More
Related links
Engine trouble hits passenger ferry
A ferry carrying
more than 100 people was left drifting off the Scottish coast after it
suffered engine trouble on its way to Northern Ireland.
The Stena Navigator was travelling from Stranraer, Dumfries and
Galloway, to Belfast when both engines suffered partial propulsion
failures.
The boat, which has 70 passengers and 47 crew on board, was drifting
around four nautical miles west of Corsewall Point lighthouse at the
northern end of the Rhinns, Mull of Galloway.
Clyde Coastguard said it received a call from the vessel at 12.50am on Saturday.
It said two Svitzer tugs, Norton Cross and Willowgarth, went to the
area with a view to towing the vessel to Belfast but the Navigator
managed to get one engine running and sailed over on half power,
accompanied by the tugs.
Clyde Coastguard said the vessel arrived at around 4.30am and everybody on board was believed to be safe and well.
Related content
Laser
pointers are visible lasers with a relatively low power output which are
frequently used in lecture halls and demonstrations to point at topics
of interest on a presentation board. In a school setting,
laser pointers have become ubiquitous, and they are very useful
teaching aids. A drop in the price of
laser pointers has also led to increased use among the general population. More common use of
laser pointers has raised concerns about their safety, especially around the eyes.
The biggest concern with
laser
pointers and the eyes is temporary optical problems. These issues
include flash blindness, glare, and afterimages. Flash blindness occurs
whenever someone is exposed to a bright light source. While it only
lasts for a few seconds, it can be extremely dangerous when someone is
involved in a task which requires vision, such as driving. Afterimages
can last for several days, and take the form of small spots in the
vision. Glare, a reduction of visibility caused by bright light, occurs
while the
laser pointer is directed at the eyes.
Fortunately, the eye problems most commonly associated with laser pointers do not take the form of permanent damage. Reduction of visibility can certainly represent a danger, however, and laser
pointers should be used with care for this reason. More profound
optical damage can also result, if the exposure is prolonged. Most laser
pointers have a very low power output, but when it is focused on the
retina through the lens of the eye, it can cause damage. Continuously
staring into a laser pointer through a fully dilated eye for over one minute may cause a retinal burn.
In most regions, the labeling of laser pointers is regulated. The laser pointer should have a “caution” label which also indicates which class the laser is in, and the power output. Many laser pointers are IIIA devices, meaning that there is a potential for damage with direct exposure to the laser. Class two lasers are less powerful, and are a better choice for laser pointers if you are concerned about safety. However, the lower light output may not be effective in a lecture hall.
If used responsibly, a laser pointer should not present a danger. Laser pointers should never be used as toys or pointed directly at someone else. When using a laser pointer
outdoors, be aware of passing cars and aircraft, as there have been
documented instances of issues related to lasers in the eyes of pilots
and drivers. Do not let a child use a laser pointer, and if you find one pointed at your eye, move and remind the person pointing it at you that laser pointers should not be directed toward someone's face.
A pretty brave man playing a guitar and an unbelievably cute dog are among our favourite pictures of the week.
Gallery
Related links
Detectives may investigate Adam Werritty, friend of ex-defence secretary Liam Fox, for possible fraud.
More
Related links
More stories
Police Consider 'Fox Adviser' Fraud Probe
Detectives are to consider whether to investigate Adam Werritty - the
friend of former defence secretary Liam Fox - over allegations of
fraud.
Labour MP John Mann said he had written to police to look at whether Mr Werritty and the former minister had broken the law.
He told the Sunday Telegraph: "Mr Werritty gave out business cards saying he was an adviser to Dr Fox.
"If that is not the case and he was getting money - for whatever
purpose - by misrepresenting his relationship with the defence
secretary, that cannot be right."
A City of London Police spokesman confirmed the force had received an allegation of fraud.
Sky reporter Mark Stone said: "At this stage we do not know how much
evidence the police will be able to mount and whether there is a case to
answer."
Dr Fox is also facing more pressure over his involvement in soliciting donations for a company that funded Mr Werritty.
Prominent Tory backers have reportedly complained that Mr Fox "misled" them about how the money would be used.
The latest developments came despite the Conservative MP finally resigning on Friday after a week of negative media reports.
Phillip Hammond has accepted Prime Minister David Cameron 's
request that he take charge at the Ministry of Defence, while Justine
Greening replaces him as transport chief.
The Sunday Telegraph has reported the reshuffle was so hastily
conducted that Mr Cameron contacted his ministers from a train platform
surrounded by morris dancers.
Meanwhile, venture capitalist Jon Moulton is understood to have
approached Cabinet Secretary Sir Gus O'Donnell to express unhappiness
about Dr Fox's actions.
Mr Moulton said the Cabinet minister asked him to donate to Pargav, a not-for-profit company set up by Mr Werritty.
He was apparently told the firm helped provide "security and
analysis", and was unaware it was funding Mr Werritty's travel to meet
Dr Fox on official trips.
The millionaire has also complained to the Conservative Party about the way he was treated.
Some reports stated that those giving money to Pargav had been
promised anonymity, which could potentially be against tough rules on
declaring donations.
Related content
Red Bull wrapped up the constructors' championship in style as Sebastian Vettel won in Korea.
Lewis' rearguard
Related links
Host nation New Zealand will face France in the Rugby World Cup final after beating Australia.
Match report
Related links
A man has surrendered himself to police after being found inside a UK shop, apparently carrying an axe.
More
Related links
Find out whose hiney Kelly Rowland has been gushing about in our round-up of celebrity tweets.
Latest from omg!
Related links
