China Airlines pilot tells of emergency evacuation moments

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Source: CCTV.com | 08-22-2007 14:33

Yu Chien-kuo, left, captain of the China Airlines' Boeing 737-800 that caught fire after landing in Okinawa, southern Japan, hugs his co-pilot Tseng Ta-wei as they arrive at the Taoyuan International Airport, Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2007, in northeastern Taiwan. (AP Photo/Wally Santana)

Yu Chien-kuo is the pilot of the jet which caught fire after landing in Japan. He flew for the Taiwan air force for 20 years before retiring six years ago to work for the commercial airline.

On Tuesday, Yu talked about how he supervised the emergency evacuation of passengers moments before the jet exploded.

Yu Chien-kuo said, "I cannot describe in detail my feelings at that moment. I just know I was in a rush to make sure all the passengers and crew members left the plane safely. Once I saw our head of cabin crew get to the ground safely, I immediately ordered my partner, Tseng Ta-wei, to get off the plane through the emergency door. Once he left, I left from the left side as well."

Editor:Du Xiaodan