Episode 12 recap: The Qin Da Di test flight failed, causing "red vision".
Before the test began, the two executives told Qin Da Di that this experiment was crucial, and that the man, machine, and cable were all indispensable, especially the cable's ability to withstand the strain. However, Director He Yi Ming believed this experiment should not be conducted, as the danger level was too high to ensure the safety of the test pilot. He warned that the vertical overload would quickly cause "red vision".
As predicted, when the cable test began, the aircraft's tail hook was bouncing rapidly on the runway with tremendous force, successfully impacting the cable. At the same time, an unexpected accident occurred - the cable connection broke. In the cabin, Qin Da Di experienced "red vision" from the massive impact, and the plane rapidly headed towards the sea. In the nick of time, Qin Da Di managed to apply the emergency brakes, saving the plane from crashing into the sea.
Before the experiment started, Yi Zheng Bang asked He Yi Ming about the risks the pilot would face if they conducted the test as the executives had demanded. He Yi Ming expressed his concerns, stating that carrying out this theoretically possible experiment posed an extremely high level of danger that could not guarantee the pilot's safety. He warned that it could cause permanent damage to Qin Da Di's C1-C3 vertebrae and possibly lead to "red vision" from the vertical overload.
Based on He Yi Ming's warnings, Yi Zheng Bang immediately contacted Qin Da Di and ordered him to cancel the next day's test. However, Qin Da Di came to see Yi Zheng Bang overnight, saying that he and the experts were operating in the dark, and completing the experiment would be helping the Chinese navy emerge from that darkness. After Qin Da Di left, Tao Si Yong inquired about Yi Zheng Bang's thoughts.
Considering Qin Da Di's points, Yi Zheng Bang believed he was not wrong. He then ordered the test flight to be postponed by a day, allowing Qin Da Di more time to rest. Additionally, Yi Zheng Bang sent people to notify the two chief engineers and the expert team at the base, ensuring that all support crews would thoroughly re-check everything to be fully prepared.
The next day, He Yi Ming came with a team to examine Qin Da Di's body, having him lie on a bed wearing a protective vest for his C1-C3 vertebrae, so they could constantly monitor his condition. He Yi Ming did not leave immediately, but stayed by Qin Da Di's bedside, seriously telling him that he had previously wanted to transition out and earn more money, but now he had decided to stay.
Qin Da Di understood He Yi Ming's meaning and empathized with his feelings, promising to rest well. When the formal test flight took place, Qin Da Di prepared himself as everyone watched closely, then entered the cockpit to receive instructions from Yi Zheng Bang. As the cable test began, the aircraft's tail hook bounced rapidly on the runway with tremendous force, successfully impacting the cable. But suddenly, an unexpected accident occurred - the cable connection broke.
The crowd was on edge, rushing towards the direction of the plane, with various departments and rescue personnel quickly following suit. Inside the cabin, Qin Da Di's vision turned red due to the massive impact. The plane was hurtling towards the sea at an extremely fast speed. In this perilous moment, fortunately, he managed to apply the emergency brakes, preventing the plane from crashing into the sea.
The medical staff quickly transported Qin Da Di to the ambulance and took him to the hospital. Xie Zhen Yu and others instantly fell into a state of chaos. Seeing this, Yí Zhèngbāng instructed Táo Sìyōng to lead the team back. Yu Tao, seeing that Xie Zhen Yu was still in a state of shock, reminded him that if it had been the two of them on the test flight, there might not have been any survivors, neither the people nor the plane.
The test was suspended, and everyone returned to the base by car, with a gloomy atmosphere inside the vehicle. The expert team inspected the test site and discovered that the welded joints of the tension meters on both sides of the restraint cables had cracked, which was the direct cause of the accident. The director was extremely angry and felt deeply guilty, willing to take full responsibility on behalf of the overall unit. However, Yí Zhèngbāng believed that the current priority was not to assume legal liability, but to quickly resolve the issue, and gave them two months to complete the follow-up work.
Fortunately, Qin Da Di had taken the best precautions, so his head and three vertebrae were uninjured, and only his eyes required treatment. Yí Zhèngbāng publicly appointed Yu Tao as the acting team leader to fulfill the corresponding responsibilities until Qin Da Di was discharged from the hospital and resumed his duties. Afterwards, Xie Zhen Yu approached Táo Sìyōng and applied to become the second test pilot, but Táo Sìyōng told him that the test flight team was a collective, where they either shared the glory or bore the consequences together. A soldier not only needs to have the courage to take on responsibilities and make sacrifices, but also to understand the principle that "the self-aware are noble, the self-conquering are strong, and the self-aware and self-conquering are the true heroes."
After witnessing the test flight, Liú Nínà felt deeply shaken and a sense of powerlessness, unable to do anything for these people. After careful consideration, Liú Nínà decided to find a pilot and become the woman behind the hero, which left Xià Chú at a loss for words.
In a month and a half, the restraint cable manufacturing unit had delivered the newly welded restraint cables. Yí Zhèngbāng and the two executives summoned Yu Tao and Táo Sìyōng to discuss the matter. Yí Zhèngbāng announced that the upcoming test would include two additional tasks, further increasing the difficulty.
Táo Sìyōng said he was unable to make a decision at the moment and planned to hold a meeting. That night, Yu Tao talked to Xie Zhen Yu, and Xie Zhen Yu expressed his hope to be the primary test pilot for one of the two new tasks, to which Yu Tao readily agreed.
During the second test flight of the A40 task, Yu Tao took the lead. Chen Ya Hong, in order not to interfere with Yu Tao, could only watch from the sidelines, a concerned expression on his face as Yu Tao settled into the cockpit.
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