A Juneyao Airlines flight captain, who refused to obey the ATC order to make way for a Qatar Airways jet, will face severe punishment including a possible death penalty, Yangcheng Evening News reported.

On the afternoon of Aug. 13, the Qatar Airways jet QR888 broadcasted the distress call Mayday and requested landing priority. But the Juneyao Airlines jet HO1112, which had started the landing approach, refused to take the order from the ATC.

Fortunately, both aircrafts landed safely. The Juneyao crew hence has been grounded for further investigation by the Civil Aviation Administration, and its captain would face up to the death penalty for being suspected of jeopardizing public security and being responsible for a possible major accident.