Kirby Chambliss, an American pilot, was saved by Chinese rescue
workers after his plane lost power and crashed into a river on
Saturday during a stunt flight.
The 42-year-old American pilot was participating in a stunt show
when the accident happened at 11:40 am. Due to mechanical problems,
the plane was reported to sweep over a large group of visitors
before plunging into the water, sending water cascading into the
sky.
The pilot escaped serious injuries and is undergoing further
medical treatment. A 15-millimetre-long wound on the pilot's
forehead was stitched and an initial examination showed no internal
injuries.
Several rescue boats waiting along the Songhua River dashed to the
crash site within minutes. Wei Tielian, deputy captain of the local
police force, unfastened the safety belt of the pilot and lifted
him clear of the cockpit.
The pilot was met with thundering applause from show visitors when
landing ashore before being taken to Jilin
Central Hospital by ambulance.
According to China Youth Daily, the plane flown by the American
pilot was absent from an earlier performance on October 5 because
of signs of malfunction.
The plane was caught by a sudden breakdown when the American pilot
was going to perform minimum altitude flight - the most fascinating
part of his performance.
The pilot reported the situation to the control tower and made a
emergency landing. The plane lost its balance and crashed
immediately after its right wing dipped into the water.
Despite the withdrawal of the American pilot from a 10-strong
flying group, the remaining nine pilots from the International
Aviation Association still managed to fly through nine arches of
the Jilin Bridge at the same time on Saturday, a feat which earned
them a place in the Guinness Book of Records.
(China
Daily 10/08/2001)