Chapter 5

The EP-3 electronic reconnaissance aircraft has a conventional layout, a cantilever low-wing, and a traditional aluminum alloy structure. Its power plant consists of four Allison T56-A-14 turboprop engines, each with a power output of 3,661 kilowatts, driving a 54H60-77 four-blade constant-speed propeller. Due to the ample engine power, similar to bombers during World War II, it often shuts down one engine during many missions to save fuel and extend flight time. If the aircraft's weight and weather conditions are favorable, it might even shut down two outer engines.

Generally, if an engine is to be shut down, the first engine on the left outer side is chosen. This is the only one of the four engines on the P-3 that does not have a generator, so it does not need to power the onboard electronic instruments. After the engine is shut down, there is no exhaust, so an observation window is added to the left side of the aircraft.

Now, the observer on this EP-3 witnessed a heart-stopping moment: the enemy fighter actually cut a piece off their wing!

If only the engine was damaged, the aircraft could still be controlled and continue flying after shutting down the first engine. However, with a piece of the wing cut off, the situation was entirely different!

The left wing provided insufficient lift, causing the left side to drop, while the right side provided too much lift, causing it to rise. In an instant, the massive EP-3 began to tilt noticeably.

The pilot reacted quickly, pushing the control stick to the right to steady the aircraft. At this moment, the aircraft's altitude began to drop rapidly, producing a high-frequency sound as it sliced through the air, making everyone in the cabin feel a sense of fear.

Is the plane going to crash?

"Hold it, hold it steady!" Ashes shouted. Although he was the mission commander, he was not a pilot. Faced with the sudden impact, he had no other choice but to shout.

The pilot struggled to stabilize the control stick, but the EP-3 continued to descend. If this continued, they would all end up in the sea!

"Come on, baby!" The pilot shouted, pulling the control stick back with all his might. Finally, at an altitude of two kilometers, the plane leveled off.

"Turn back, we must turn back immediately!" Ashes shouted. From the cockpit, he could see the MiG-25 flying proudly in front, with the red star on its vertical stabilizer clearly visible.

"No, our aircraft has been hit and is severely damaged. We can only make an emergency landing; we cannot fly a thousand kilometers back!" the pilot shouted.

With a part of the left wing missing, the aircraft could not fly for much longer. The pilot even imagined that a large-angle turn would cause the plane to lose balance and crash!

They had no choice but to make an emergency landing!

But where could they make an emergency landing? This was not a seaplane! They could only choose to land on land! And the nearby land belonged to the Soviets!

"No, we must fly back!" Ashes returned to his usual stubbornness.

At that moment, a side wind hit, causing the entire aircraft to shake violently, and everyone in the cabin screamed.

Ashes, who had fallen back into his seat during the shaking, turned pale. If he insisted on flying back, they would crash en route. There was no other choice but to make an emergency landing!

Where to make an emergency landing? There seemed to be a Soviet military airfield nearby. They had to reach land first!

Sitting in the cockpit of the MiG-25, Belenko was speechless. Andrei's actions just now were definitely intentional! How crazy, to actively collide with the enemy, but the effect was good!

"Sokolovka, Sokolovka, 032 calling. 032 has collided with the interception target. The interception target has lost its flight capability and is falling into our airspace." Andrei called to the base over the radio: "Repeat, the interception target has lost its flight capability and is falling into our airspace."

There were anti-aircraft missile positions ahead, and Andrei was very worried that the American electronic reconnaissance aircraft would be shot down by anti-aircraft missiles, which would render his efforts futile.

"Continue monitoring, 032, report the aircraft's damage status." A voice came from the ground over the headphones.

"My aircraft is normal and can continue flying. The interception target has lost one engine and a piece of the wing," Andrei reported over the radio. "It appears to be making an emergency landing towards our base."

Belenko also flew a MiG-25 fighter, closely monitoring the American electronic reconnaissance aircraft. From his perspective, the enemy was flying erratically, as if it could crash at any moment.

Inside the EP-3 electronic reconnaissance aircraft, the Americans were still worried about their safety. They had already entered Soviet airspace. Would the Soviets shoot them down? The Soviets had a strong sense of sovereignty, even shooting down a lost civilian airliner, let alone a real electronic reconnaissance aircraft.

What would be the consequences? Could it trigger a world war?

They had already flown over land, seeing dense forests and distant villages. Their altitude had dropped to one thousand meters!

Where could they land? The navigation equipment on the plane was damaged, and they could only rely on visual identification of the target.

"Up ahead, up ahead, there's an airfield!" Ashes saw a straight runway in the distance and shouted to the pilot.

It was indeed an airfield! The pilot maneuvered the aircraft, wobbling as he flew towards it. He knew he only had one chance! If he missed it, a go-around was almost impossible.

Land! The pilot pulled the control stick, trying to follow the standard glide path. Unfortunately, as soon as he moved, the aircraft was on the verge of losing control, plummeting like a large rock.

The cabin was filled with screams. Some people began to make the sign of the cross with their eyes closed.

Only the pilot was still struggling.

The landing gear was already down. The aircraft was not aligned with the runway, and the main landing gear touched the ground first on the left side, then bounced back and touched down again. It skidded for several dozen meters before leaving the runway and sliding onto the grass. The pilot pressed the rudder pedals, and the rudder became the brake for the wheels. The aircraft continued to move forward and finally stopped just before it would have crashed into the nearby forest.

This was a landing that would never be forgotten!

"Stopped, get out of the plane quickly!" the pilot said, unfastening his seatbelt and running to the rear cabin.

"No, act quickly, destroy the electronic equipment on the plane!" Ashes, who had narrowly escaped death, still remembered his duty.

This plane contained too many secrets, the most advanced American electronic technology! If it fell into Soviet hands, the Soviets would certainly disassemble and study it.

Nothing must be left for the Soviets!

Unfortunately, just as Ashes finished speaking, the Soviets outside were already shouting: "Immediately drop your weapons and come out of the plane!"