China Eastern Airlines Flight 5210 was a tragic event that occurred when the aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas MD-82, took off from Baotou Donghe Airport. The flight was headed for Shanghai, but shortly after becoming airborne, it lost altitude and crashed in a field. At the time of the incident, there were 52 passengers and three crew members on board, all of whom perished. Eyewitnesses reported that the plane appeared to struggle shortly after takeoff, making it a shocking moment for those at the airport.

Following the crash, rescue operations were initiated, but the wreckage was beyond salvageable. The investigation led by Chinese authorities focused on various factors including the aircraft's technical state, the weather at the time of departure, and the pilot's performance. It was discovered that the flight encountered severe weather, which hindered visibility. Additionally, the crew's decisions in response to the conditions were scrutinized.

As authorities pieced together the moments leading up to the crash, it became clear that a combination of human error and potentially unexpected weather patterns played a critical role. The incident brought to light discussions on aviation safety standards in China and the training protocols for pilots, ultimately influencing changes in regulations and practices within the airline industry.