Z-20J helicopter, a shipborne model of the helicopter series, made its debut in Zhuhai City on Friday for the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, or Zhuhai Airshow.
Three Z-20J helicopters alongside five Z-8C transport helicopters arrived together, and will give air assault operation displays for the airshow, which is scheduled for Nov 12 to 17.
"The Z-20J and Z-8C are both main shipborne helicopters currently in service in the navy. This marks the first public appearance of the Z-20J. It can carry gun pods, rockets, and air-to-ground missiles, providing robust fire support for land operations and performing a variety of missions, including air transport, fire support, and search and rescue. Its unique feature is an optimized landing system designed to handle complex takeoff and landing conditions, such as ship rocking and swaying. Its landing gear is longer, wider, and offers greater shock absorption than traditional Z-20 models. The Z-8C is primarily equipped on amphibious assault ships and other large surface vessels. It is mainly a transport helicopter capable of executing air transport, land assault, and vertical descent missions, as well as emergency search and rescue operations," said Chinese Navy's military expert Li Jian.
Z-20J helicopter model debuts at Zhuhai Airshow
Twenty-nine survivors were found in the passenger plane crash in Aktau, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) reported.
An Embraer 190 aircraft operated by Azerbaijan Airlines with flight number J2-8243 from Baku to Grozny crashed near Aktau Airport on Wednesday with a total of 67 people on board.
According to the MES, 482 people are involved in the rescue on site, as well as 97 pieces of equipment, two aircraft and four teams of search and rescue dogs.
A group of electric power workers near the crash site were among the first batch of rescuers, who said they helped save around 15 people at the scene.
"We saw the plane crash with our own eyes and quickly packed up to head to the scene for rescue. Later, personnel from the Ministry of Emergency Situations and hospital staff members arrived. About 10 of us went there. We brought a crane to help rescue people from the cabin," a rescuer said.
The emergency departments of Kazakhstan, Russia and Azerbaijan exchanged information via video conference.
According to Subkhonkul Rakhimov, a survivor of the crash, the plane suddenly rose rapidly and began to increase its altitude when it was about to land in Grozny. There was heavy fog at the time, and the crew tried to land the plane in Grozny three times, but all failed. An explosion occurred during the third attempt to land.
29 survivors rescued from plane crash in Kazakhstan
