In 1971, a mysterious plane crash ended the life of Mao Zedong's chosen successor
The sudden death of Marshal Lin Biao in a mysterious plane crash over Mongolia forever changed the course of Chinese politics and ended the career of Mao's heir apparent.
In 1971, a Trident 1E aircraft plummeted into the Mongolian desert, killing everyone on board. Among the dead was Marshal Lin Biao, the man officially designated as Chairman Mao Zedong's successor. The Chinese government later alleged that Lin was fleeing the country after a failed coup attempt to seize power.
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