The two pilots' courage helped the aircraft nose down and crash land before it hit the populated area -- by only 230 meters.

"It was a life or death situation. They faced danger to protect the people," said Zhan Renming, division leader of Feng and Zhang's flying squadron.

Feng Siguang has been posthumously awarded a revolutionary martyr honor. The honor is given to someone who has made a great sacrifice for, or contribution to, the nation and its people.

File photo of Feng Siguang. (Xinhua Photo)

The heavily populated urban area over which Feng Siguang flew in Jinan, capital city of east China's Shandong province. (Xinhua Photo)

Editor: Li Jing

Source: Xinhua