Chapter 403: Entry Game! Nagatacho and the Eshree Palace!
The cockpit of Southwest Flight 3102 was filled with a solemn and depressing atmosphere. Xia Shuyue, who was sitting in the left seat, had a dense layer of sweat on his forehead, and Richard Baier, who was sitting in the back, was silent.
Xu Cang's method was much more difficult than expected. As a bystander, Richard Bayer actually only needed a little less pressure, but he still felt a lot of thoughts and confusion. To be honest, Richard Bayer was the first to complete the throttle lever. He couldn't even find the so-called maximum and minimum values.
Yes, he was unable to even distinguish the two simplest of the sixty scales. If he were asked to do Xia Shuyue's job, he would have probably given up thinking by now.
However, it makes sense for Xu Cang to choose Xia Shuyue.
"Did you hear it clearly?" Xu Cang asked in a low voice.
Xia Shuyue frowned: "The maximum value is about three-quarters of the way there, and the minimum value is almost at the slow position, but it is pushed five to six degrees in front of the slow position. The middle value is still unknown."
"The middle value is about 17 degrees ahead of the slow-moving position." Xu Cang said calmly, "I agree with you on the position of the maximum and minimum values. You really didn't disappoint me. Your perception ability is stronger than mine."
"Aren't you more perceptive than me? You can hear where the middle value is, but I can't hear it."
"No, that's not the case." Xu Cang said, "You haven't heard much of the sound of the Airbus 320 engine, so naturally you have no idea. I have some experience, so it's much easier for me to distinguish than you. You can distinguish the maximum and minimum values at once, which is already very good."
"But this is still too difficult. I can't even accurately distinguish a one-degree change in the throttle position."
One degree, maybe the actual change in the position of the throttle lever is just a slight shake of the hand, this difference is too small. Just being able to distinguish the change of one degree is already difficult, and you also have to remember the corresponding thrust value, and also distinguish the engine running sound with a slight change in volume.
Xu Cang held his forehead and said, "Shuyue, let's do it again. I can only let you experience each part twice at most..."
As soon as he finished speaking, he gasped several times before he recovered. If he hadn't been breathing pure oxygen, Xu Cang would have almost collapsed.
"Twice, how can I remember twice?" Richard Bayer shouted, but suddenly, he noticed Xu Cang's profile. Xu Cang's originally bloodless face was covered with a layer of strange mockery. Even through the oxygen mask, Richard Bayer could hear Xu Cang's heavy breathing.
Xia Shuyue also noticed something was wrong with Xu Cang. She touched his face lightly with her fingers, and her skin felt like a branding iron.
"You have a fever?" Xia Shuyue was horrified. She moved her fingers up and touched Xu Cang's forehead. Fortunately, the temperature was not as high as his cheeks, but there were already signs of fever.
It was normal for Xu Cang to get infected given the large wound on his left shoulder, which had not been thoroughly disinfected. However, he did not expect the fever to come so quickly.
Xu Cang had already lost too much blood, and now showing signs of infection and fever was making things worse.
Xia Shuyue was concerned and confused: "Are we going to land near Jiuzhou?"
Their current direction should be to fly towards Kyushu first, and then enter the airspace of Honshu Island after flying over Kyushu. Although the two are not very far apart, Xu Cang's current situation is obviously one that counts every second.
"If you are here because of Xu Cang, then I advise you to do as Xu Cang wants. Kyushu's medical level is far inferior to Tokyo's. Xu Cang's condition is urgent and ordinary hospitals are unlikely to be able to treat him. There is nothing you can do if you land. You chose to land in Kyushu to save a few minutes. If you miss the chance for emergency treatment, you will regret it."
Of course, if Xu Cang couldn’t hold on because of those ten minutes, it would only mean that this was Xu Cang’s fate.
However, Richard Bayer would definitely not say this.
After being enlightened by Richard Bayer, Xia Shuyue also felt that it made sense. If he was to be taken down quickly, and the hospital couldn't cure him, wouldn't that be a waste of the chance to save Xu Cang?
Not to mention in Japan, even in the world, the medical level in Tokyo is at the highest level. If the big hospitals in Tokyo are still helpless, then transferring the case to the big hospitals of other companies in the world will probably be futile.
After weighing the pros and cons, Xia Shuyue still felt that what Richard Bayer said made sense, so he calmed down and went to Tokyo with peace of mind.
However, although Xu Cang did not die instantly, he looked dazed. After calling him twice, there was no response, which made Xia Shuyue very worried.
"If Xu Cang can't control the plane, then we have to do it ourselves?" Richard Bayer began to worry.
The same thing will have different levels of difficulty when done by different people.
Even though Xu Cang's condition was already quite bad before, the plane was like a collar in Xu Cang's hand. It could be quickly returned to the center with just a slight deviation.
But if Richard Baier had done the same thing, there's no telling where the plane would have drifted to.
Talking about this, Xia Shuyue remained silent. Her memory and perception abilities were indeed top-notch, which she was born with. However, the ability to correct the deviation of the aircraft was not within her talent range. She could never do something like Xu Cang who could tame the aircraft so obediently.
Moreover, because Xu Cang was in critical condition, Xia Shuyue was already extremely confused and distracted. At this time, could she remember the complicated and vast data as usual?
She herself was unsure.
Memory is a complete brain activity and is easily affected by emotions. Just by seeing Xu Cang's weak appearance, Xia Shuyue's thoughts began to wander. How could she have the time to find and remember those corresponding data relationships?
Richard Bayer saw that Xia Shuyue was also in a trance, and thought to himself that there was really no chance of his life turning danger into safety. The only hope he had was that his mind was in chaos. What should he do?
Just as Richard Baier began to sigh, the second VHF unit, which had been silent for a long time, finally started to make a sound. It was still the continuous sound of electricity, and a deep male voice was vaguely mixed in it: "WN3102, I can only guide you here. Keep heading. You will enter Japanese airspace in five minutes."
Xia Shuyue wanted to thank them, but she saw the fighter plane that had been in the guidance position tumble and fly away from the left, leaving only one sentence on the emergency frequency of 121.5: "Good luck to you."
At this time, there were no clouds blocking the night sky. As the saying goes, "Climbing high and looking far", they could already see the outline of Kyushu Island with their naked eyes.
They can reach Japanese airspace even without guidance.
Xu Cang's breathing was extremely heavy and he looked very bad. Richard Bayer couldn't help but ask, "Should we move him out?"
Xu Cang was already in a situation where he was completely unable to fly. If he continued to stay in the right seat, not only would he occupy a position that could provide control assistance, but if it was not firmly fixed, he might accidentally touch the rudder pedals and sidesticks, which could easily cause some unpredictable consequences for the already unstable aircraft.
For an incapacitated pilot, removing him from the cockpit is a relatively normal operation.
However, Xia Shuyue directly objected: "Xu Cang must stay here."
"Why?" Richard Bayer was stunned. "He is already semi-conscious. What is he doing in the cockpit?"
"I don't trust those people at the back." Xia Shuyue knew that the entire crew were accomplices. Although she seemed to stand on Xu Cang's side due to the pressure of survival, she would never agree to move Xu Cang, who was now powerless to resist, to the rear cabin.
In fact, there is another reason. The oxygen system in the cockpit can provide a higher quality and longer supply of pure oxygen. In any case, at this time, pure oxygen is beneficial to Xu Cang.
Richard Baier wanted to say something, but suddenly, there was a crackling sound of electricity coming from the second VHF, followed by a voice in English with a strong Japanese accent: "WN3102, Fukuoka Control 121.5 calling."
Richard Bayer originally wanted to discuss whether Xu Cang should be moved out, but he was suddenly connected to the control of Fukuoka, Japan, and was overjoyed.
Fukuoka control took the initiative to call them when they were approaching the airspace, which means that the aircraft signal could be seen on the control radar.
Earlier, Richard Bayer was also worried about the transponder problem caused by the large-scale power outage. If the transponder malfunctioned, the control radar might not be able to see its own position, and radar guidance would be impossible.
Since we can see where we are, regulation can provide guidance.
Even without a heading, the controller only needs to provide left and right direction instructions, which is enough to complete the directional guidance. This guidance method is somewhat similar to the radar approach method of PAR.
Richard Baier sat in the observer's seat, where there was also a communication panel. He took out a handheld microphone from a small grid and plugged it in: "MAYDAY! MAYDAY! MAYDAY! WN3102, aircraft failure, personnel injured, requesting radar guidance to return to Tokyo for an alternate landing."
Generally speaking, after an emergency is declared, the controller will meet the crew's request as quickly as possible. Besides, returning to Tokyo is not an excessive request. They originally took off from Tokyo Haneda Airport, so it was a planned alternate landing.
However, the controller paused and did not provide any guidance. Instead, he asked, "WN3102, may I ask what caused the injuries on your plane?"
This question made Richard Bayer stunned. What kind of nonsense was this? Shouldn't he first guide him and then talk about some nonsense?
However, Richard Baier still patiently explained the situation: "It was the passenger in seat 2F on the plane who shot and attacked another passenger on the plane."
"Shooting attack!" The controller was shocked: "Are you saying that the passenger in seat 2F brought a gun on board?"
"That's what I mean." Richard Bayer was a little impatient. "Fukuoka Control, the gunman has been controlled. In addition, the injured on our plane are in critical condition. Please guide us to Tokyo Haneda Airport immediately and contact medical assistance in advance."
The Fukuoka control officer simply said, "Wait a moment!"
"What are you waiting for? Someone is continuing the treatment. If you have any questions, please wait until we are guided." Richard Bayer said anxiously.
However, Richard Baier's words fell on deaf ears and received no response at all. The Fukuoka control was as silent as if it were dead.
Richard Baier frowned: "What's going on?"
"Is there something wrong with the communication system again?"
Xia Shuyue was still guessing at Fukuoka Control with a relatively mild attitude, but the next moment, the voice of Fukuoka Control came over the frequency: "WN3102, is your aircraft now in a precisely controllable state?"
“Precisely controllable?” It was the first time that Richard Baier had heard this term, but he could still understand what the controller meant. “There is a large-scale failure in our electrical system. We strongly suspect that there is a problem with the flight control computer and FADEC. The aircraft has some problems with control and thrust adjustment. We are trying our best to control the aircraft status.”
The Fukuoka controller immediately asked back: "Does that mean you can't accurately control the aircraft status at all times?"
"That... you can say that, but we are already looking for a way to achieve precise control." Richard Bayer felt that Fukuoka Control was a little strange, but he did not think much about it and urged at the end: "Fukuoka Control, the injured on our plane are in a very critical condition, please guide them immediately. In addition, given the condition of our aircraft, it may be impossible to accurately maintain the flight data, please maintain at least four times the standard radar interval."
Richard Bayer originally wanted to clear the airspace wherever his plane went, but Haneda Airport is a large international airport, so it was a bit exaggerated to clear the airspace directly. Maintaining more than four times the radar interval should be enough.
Moreover, due to the impact of the solar storm, a large number of flights were canceled, and Haneda Airport may not be so busy, so the deployment will not be a big problem.
However, what Richard Bayer and Xia Shuyue could never have imagined was that after hearing Richard Bayer's request, Fukuoka Control directly said: "WN3102, JCAB has just issued an aviation control ban that takes effect immediately. The situation of your aircraft does not meet the requirements of the ban and will not be allowed to enter."
"What?"
Richard Bayer and Xia Shuyue couldn't believe their ears. If it was an alternate landing in an unplanned country, such a situation might happen. But in fact, even if it was an alternate landing in an unplanned country, in many cases, the local civil aviation authority would still provide assistance out of humanitarian spirit.
It is simply unimaginable that WN3102 was denied entry at the return airport.
Richard Baier directly scolded: "Japan is a member of ICAO. JCAB is openly violating international conventions. What right do you have to refuse us entry? Is this so-called ban legally binding?"
All ICAO member states must, in times of emergency, provide assistance to the best of their ability in accordance with the signed conventions. JCAB's refusal to allow aircraft to enter and return on MAYDAY is actually a violation of the convention they signed when they joined ICAO.
"Just seventeen minutes ago, an American Airlines 767 was hijacked and crashed into the World Trade Center in New York. The entire United States is now under a no-fly zone. Considering safety issues, only aircraft that meet safety requirements can enter." The Fukuoka controller sighed, "However, out of humanitarianism, we can guide you to Yakushima Airport."
Although the news of a plane crashing into the World Trade Center in New York was shocking enough, they were already struggling to save themselves, so how could they care about others? In addition, the choice of airport mentioned by Fukuoka Control really angered Richard Bair.
“Yakushima Airport!?”
Xia Shuyue didn't know this airport, but seeing the veins bulging on Richard Bayer's forehead, she knew that this airport might not be a good choice.
As expected, Richard Bayer shouted directly: "The runway of Yakushima Airport is only 1,500 meters. You want us to land at a third-level airport? In addition, Yakushima Airport cannot provide medical rescue of a high enough standard."
Yakushima is an isolated island in the sea. It is just an unknown tourist attraction. Not to mention that the airport is extremely small, the local medical level is also quite poor. If Xu Cang falls there, he can only wait for death.
"WN3102, please understand that Yakushima Airport is the only alternate airport we can provide."
Richard Bair's eyes burned with anger . "What if we still have to fly to Tokyo? Even without your guidance, the visibility is good tonight, and we can still fly to Tokyo by relying on map operations. Tokyo is still easy to distinguish in Japan."
In any case, Tokyo is the place with the brightest and densest lights in Japan.
"WN3102, I hope you won't do this." The attitude of Fukuoka control was also extremely tough: "If you force your way into our airspace, we will take all necessary measures."
"For example, shoot us down?" Richard Bayer said coldly.
Fukuoka control did not directly answer this question but remained silent, which was actually equivalent to tacit consent.
This behavior directly angered Richard Bayer: "I am Richard Bayer, and I am going to land in Tokyo today. I want to see what you can do to me!"
There was silence for a moment at the Fukuoka Control Center. Then another person with a slightly older voice answered the phone: "Richard Bayer, President of IFALPA?"
"Yes, it's me!" Richard Bayer had never been so angry as he was today. "Whatever measures you want to take, just go ahead! However, IFALPA will block all unofficial routes to Japan afterwards."
As soon as these words came out, Fukuoka Control went silent.
Richard Bayer wasn't kidding, IFALPA can really do it.
As the general representative of the pilots' union worldwide, IFALPA has a terrifying amount of power. Just like a while ago, a large number of European airlines went on strike over pay raises, which caused a lot of headaches for the airlines. But Kingfisher Airlines has been in a peaceful state because of Richard Bair's greeting, and it is the only one in the European airlines that stands out.
Richard Bayer was the first president of IFALPA and he had a very high prestige. If this happened today, it would be strange if IFALPA did not retaliate against Richard Bayer.
As long as IFALPA issues an ultimatum to major airlines around the world to sever cooperation with Japanese airlines on unofficial routes, those airlines will most likely choose to compromise.
Richard Bair is the biggest political correctness of IFALPA. Anyone who does not contribute to the revenge for Richard Bair's death will easily become the target of public attack. No airline in the world can withstand the targeting of IFALPA!
Official routes are politically mandated, and IFALPA has no power to influence them. However, there are not many official routes, and there are more unofficial commercial routes, which are decided by airlines themselves.
If these routes were cut off, it would be like a nuclear bomb for Japanese civil aviation.
Why would the chief engineers of EASA and FAA offer Xu Cang such generous conditions, just to prevent Xu Cang from inheriting IFALPA?
The reason is that IFALPA's power is too exaggerated. Even official organizations such as EASA and FAA, which can dominate the world's civil aviation order, are extremely wary of it. IFALPA can only die out without successors.
The person who took over the call was the head of Fukuoka Control. He understood the importance of Richard Bair, so his tone was not as tough as before: "Wait a moment, I will go to the JCAB headquarters for instructions."
…
"What? Richard Bayer is on the plane?" Nagashima Kenji was completely confused when he received the call from the Fukuoka Control Room. Especially when the Fukuoka Control Supervisor relayed Richard Bayer's words to Nagashima Kenji, he felt like his head was about to explode.
Although Japan's civil aviation industry is the best in Asia, it is actually very fragile because the domestic market is not large.
If the president of IFALPA died here today because of refusing entry to WN3102, wouldn't IFALPA go crazy?
With the power of IFALPA, it can definitely bring extremely huge damage to Japan's civil aviation industry. As the director of JCAB, if Japan's civil aviation industry suffers a painful blow, it will destroy the foundation of his future promotion. How can he not be anxious?
"Director, what should we do now?" The head of the Fukuoka Control Room was also undecided: "He seems to insist on making an emergency landing at Haneda Airport in Tokyo. What should we do? Should we notify the Air Self-Defense Force?"
"You're crazy!" Nagashima cursed, "If he dies, we will lose two-thirds of our international routes!"
Changdao suppressed his anger and asked, "How long will it take for them to enter the airspace over Honshu based on their course and speed?"
After waiting for a while, the person on the other end of the phone responded: "About eleven minutes later."
"Okay! You wait. You can temporarily allow them to enter Kyushu airspace, but they must not be allowed to enter the airspace over Honshu before receiving my order. If they insist, then contact the Air Self-Defense Force." Nagashima Kenzhi took a deep breath, "However, eleven minutes should be enough for us to ask for instructions."
"Director, do you want to consult the Ministry of Transportation?"
"No, this ban was issued by the person in Nagatacho, so naturally we have to find that person. However, it's so late now... Alas..." Nagashima Kenshin was very reluctant to make this call at this time, but since it involved the future of Japan's civil aviation, he had no choice but to bite the bullet.
However, according to Nagashima's feeling, he did not think that the one in Nagatacho would make an exception for Richard Bair.
The effect of the attack on the World Trade Center in New York was too shocking, and given the special circumstances, it is never too careful.
But if Richard Bayer died here, Changdao Jianzhi really didn't dare to think about the consequences.
…
At the same time, in Nagatacho, Chiyo-ku, Tokyo, which is the political hub of Japan, a large number of senior national institutions are located here.
However, although the two-story Western-style wooden building is inconspicuous, this small building is the center of Japan.
Normally at this time, the lights in most rooms in the small building would have been turned off, but at this moment they were brightly lit.
Because of the earth-shaking events happening on the other side of the ocean, people here will probably have to stay up all night.
At this moment, in a small room of the building, four or five staff members in black women's suits were sitting and answering the phone non-stop. They were the secretariat of the building, mainly responsible for communication and appointment matters.
Suddenly, the phone at the corner workstation rang again just after it was hung up. The operator let out a sigh of relief, adjusted his mood, picked up the phone, and said in a standardized tone: "Hello!"
Those who can get in here are not ordinary people, so they have to be careful with their tone.
"Hello!" A woman's voice came from the other side, speaking Japanese with a slight accent: "This is the Secretariat of the Elysee Palace. We hope to have a brief conversation with that person."
