Flight to You Episode 34 Recap
> Flight to You Recap
At Xie Zetian's retirement ceremony, which Xia Zhi recorded, he recounted a pivotal moment from 2004. As captain, with Jiang Tao as first officer, he landed a damaged aircraft in a rice field after its body was breached at an altitude of 101 meters, saving all passengers. This act earned their crew the "Hero Team" title but also shaped his philosophy.
Xie expressed his hope that such "heroes" would not be needed, as it would signify that every flight was perfectly safe. He emphasized that protecting passenger safety was his sole responsibility, superseding all else. Concluding his 27,000-hour career, he announced his transition to an administrative role and simulator instructor. For a simple succession ceremony, he invited Lin Yicheng, Song Song, and Cheng Xiao, who had flown with him that day, to the stage.
Xie Zetian asked the three pilots what they observed during passenger boarding. Lin Yicheng focused on operational readiness, such as the positioning of ground operators and tow trucks. Song Song watched for potential threats like suspicious individuals, intoxicated passengers, or those attempting to throw coins into the engines. Cheng Xiao offered a more empathetic view, stating she sees passengers as individuals on a journey, wondering about their emotions and whether they might need the crew's help.
Xie affirmed that Cheng Xiao's answer was what he wanted to hear, declaring that his greatest achievement was delivering every passenger safely. He gifted them luggage tags made from the skin of the retired 737-300 from the 2004 incident, symbolizing their mission. He offered a special word of encouragement to Cheng Xiao, telling her to keep up the good work. Meanwhile, in Panama, Gu Nanting received a call from Mr. Liu informing him the trial would begin in three days.
After flying 40,000 kilometers in three days, Gu Nanting located Captain Camil of Mile Airlines. He explained he needed a witness to prove that Cheng Xiao, the co-pilot on the flight in question, had told the truth. Camil confirmed that Saigon Airport had not been closed but refused to testify, unwilling to go against her company. Gu Nanting, dejected, informed Mr. Liu that his efforts had failed. Cheng Xiao approached Lin Yicheng to discuss the upcoming trial.
Lin revealed that Captain Jiang Tao had asked him to testify, prompting Cheng Xiao to implore him to speak the truth in court. She reminded him of their professional oath and suggested his daughter Doudou would respect a father who upheld basic integrity, but Lin made an excuse about his daughter waiting at home and left. Resolved, Cheng Xiao called Mr. Liu to confirm her willingness to testify, then turned off her phone.
Two days later, Gu Nanting returned to Luzhou and learned from Mr. Liu of Cheng Xiao's decision. Anxious, Xia Zhi and Song Song couldn't reach her and felt she was walking into a trap. Cheng Xiao's father also called, dismayed that his daughter would face her mother in court, but Cheng Xiao reassured him she was merely stating facts and was prepared for the consequences. That evening, Gu Nanting arrived at Cheng Xiao's home to dissuade her from testifying.
He admitted his failure to convince the foreign captains to appear in court but offered to testify himself, relaying Captain Camil's statement that Saigon Airport had not been closed. Cheng Xiao, firm in her decision, stated she was no longer his student and refused to involve him. Ni Zhan then arrived, also trying to persuade Cheng Xiao not to testify, especially after learning Gu Nanting lacked hard evidence.
However, Gu Nanting had a change of heart, declaring his support for her decision, believing she would live with greater guilt if she remained silent. Following this, Gu Nanting confessed his feelings for Cheng Xiao to Ni Zhan. He explained that since Luo Yi's death, he had been afraid of new emotional attachments, but he could no longer deny his feelings, which began in Lanshan.
Ni Zhan reassured him that Luo Yi’s death was an accident and that he owed him nothing. On the day of the trial, Cheng Xiao was the first to arrive at the courthouse, where Xia Zhi, Song Song, and Li Yuheng came to support her. She saw her mother arrive with Jiang Tao, and they passed each other without a word, strengthening her resolve. Inside the witness room, Gu Nanting joined her to offer a final word of encouragement.
Summoned to the stand, Cheng Xiao recounted the events on Flight XD805. She testified that she had contacted Saigon Air Control for an emergency landing under Captain Jiang's authorization. However, when she returned to the cockpit, Jiang had decided to proceed to Singapore and did not mention an airport closure. Crucially, Cheng Xiao stated she personally heard Captain Jiang tell control, "The patient is getting better. Thank you," a sentence absent from the official air-ground recording presented by the defense.
She concluded by questioning the recording's authenticity. The opposing lawyer, representing Jiang Tao, challenged her credibility, questioning her about past conflicts with Jiang, including a runway incursion incident. Though Cheng Xiao denied holding a grudge, the lawyer argued that her testimony was biased by a personal feud and should be dismissed. The judge agreed and dismissed her from the stand. Gu Nanting then took the stand.
He explained that his suspicion about the recording grew after observing observer Lin Yicheng's guilty hesitation and Captain Jiang's refusal to help secure testimony from foreign pilots who were circling over Saigon at the time. He confirmed that three days prior, one of those pilots, Captain Camil, had verbally told him that Saigon Airport was not closed. However, he had to admit she was unwilling to testify.
The opposing lawyer discredited his testimony by highlighting his professional rivalry with Jiang Tao over the Vice President position, and Gu Nanting left the stand, disheartened. Just as the situation seemed hopeless, Gu Nanting received a call from Captain Camil, who had changed her mind and agreed to testify. The plaintiff's lawyer then called a new witness: Lin Yicheng.
Taking the stand, Lin confirmed that they had requested an emergency landing at Saigon and received a message from air traffic control confirming the airport was available. He recalled control stating that two other planes were circling, urging them to land quickly. Lin then explicitly stated that he never heard any communication indicating Saigon Airport was closed, directly contradicting the defense's recording and causing a stir in the courtroom. Through a flashback, he recalled Jiang Tao offering to help with his daughter Doudou's school admission, implying his testimony was an act of clearing his conscience.
