Chinese J-15 carrier fighter struck by birds, pilot saves jet bravely

The Chinese J-15 carrier fighter was struck by birds less than 40 seconds after takeoff, causing the left engine to catch fire in a carrier-based naval aviation base in China recently.

The camera on pilot Yuan Wei’s helmet recorded the moment as the birds struck the jet. Yuan Wei had to avoid the nearby village as the jet might explode at any time with four missiles and eight tons of jet fuel onboard.

Yuan received over 50 instructions from the control tower in 11 minutes and made over one hundred maneuvers to save the jet.

Yuan Wei made a safe landing. Rescue vehicles rushed to the scene and soldiers put out fire immediately. Many soldiers who had breathed in the fire-fighting powder were later sent to the hospital for treatment.

The conversation between the pilot and the control tower was revealed to the public after the incident.

(CGTN)