Father of fighter programme Luo Yang dies after carrier landing triumph

China is mourning the death of its J-15 jet-fighter programme chief, who collapsed shortly after the nation's first aircraft carrier returned from successful landing tests involving the jet.

Luo Yang, 51, chairman and president of the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, had a heart attack and died on the way to hospital on Sunday, CCTV reported yesterday - just after Beijing declared the tests a success.

Luo was the key architect of the jet-fighter programme and spent three decades helping to develop the aviation industry.

The J-15 is China's first indigenous jet able to operate from an aircraft carrier, making it a crucial piece of the country's efforts to build a carrier fleet.

State media gave Luo's death high-profile coverage, praising him as a hero. His obituary was given the all-important lead spot on CCTV's 7pm newscast.

CCTV footage showed a fit-looking Luo shaking hands with other workers after leaving the aircraft carrier. The report said he collapsed soon afterwards and rescue workers spent three hours trying to resuscitate him.

China National Radio reported that Luo had felt sick after boarding the carrier on November 18, but he refused to leave the vessel.