A hero pilot has been awarded £360k after saving the lives of 439 passengers.
He Chao was at the helm of an Airbus A320-200 which was just about to take off when another plane came into his path. With incredible powers of quick thinking, he took the plane into a sharp climb and missed the other plane by just 19 metres.
He Chao. Legend! Credit: Hangkongwuyu
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According to a statement on China Eastern Airlines' website, the Airbus A320 was already travelling at approximately 240kmh (149mph).
The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) released a simulation of the incident to show just how close it was to becoming a disaster during their investigation last month.
Check it out here:
Credit: News.163.com
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Chao was awarded with the cash reward of three million yuan (£360,000) at a ceremony in his honour earlier today. The cabin crew were also given 600,000 yuan (£71,000) reports the Daily Mail.
The CAAC completed its investigation and found that air traffic control was at fault. As a result, it revoked the licenses of two air traffic controllers who they determined to be responsible for the incident. They also punished 13 air traffic control officials from The Eastern China Air Control Bureau.
Chao wins the legend of the month award!
Featured image credit: PA Images
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