Pilot risks own life to save others after plane's engine fails

An Air Force pilot in Shenyang put his own life on the line after his plane spun out of control, reported CCTV (China Central Television) on Saturday.

Li Tong was flying at 3,500 meters when the aircraft began descending rapidly after it lost power. He tried several times to restore power but the engine failed to respond. By then the plane, which was carrying at least two tons of fuel and 200 rounds of ammunitions, had dropped to 1,500 meters.

The control tower told Li to bail out with parachute at about 1,000 meters.

However, Li insisted staying in the aircraft and missed the best time to jump out when he found out the aircraft was above residential areas.

He knew abandoning the plane meant causing large number of casualties. He stayed in the plane and managed to steer it away from the residential areas.

He finally jumped out at the extremely low height of 351 meters.

Although he himself sustained injuries in his neck and waist, Li managed to save countless others.