Chinese President Xi Jinping has honoured veteran naval test pilot Yang Yong with a first-class merit award for defence science and technology. Yang, who had previously earned seven second- and third-class merit awards, has been involved in testing aircraft launched from China’s most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian.

Yang recounted a life-threatening incident in a documentary aired on state broadcaster CCTV, describing how his plane lost cabin pressure at an altitude of 10,000 metres (33,000 feet) due to a leak. He explained the critical danger: “If the aircraft does not descend, the cabin pressure will completely dissipate. If the pilot becomes incapacitated, the aircraft will lose control and [the situation will] become uncontrollable.”

However, Yang was unable to descend immediately because a civilian flight path lay directly below, forcing him to maintain altitude for 13 minutes despite worsening physical symptoms. “My physical sensations were getting worse, but unless instructed otherwise, we had to maintain our current altitude,” he said. “As I descended, my physical sensations gradually returned, including my hearing.”

Yang’s skillful handling of the emergency and safe landing under these conditions earned him the prestigious award.

Sources