In brief
Last week a Beijing resident, 66‑year‑old Liu, deliberately crashed his two‑seat Aurora SA60L into the CITIC Tower, Beijing’s tallest building. The accident killed the pilot and injured 13 people, prompting a thorough investigation that highlighted Liu’s chronic insomnia, anxiety and expressions of suicidal intent. Authorities have classified the incident as an act of personal‑motivated self‑injury that posed a serious public‑safety risk, and have temporarily halted light‑aircraft operations across several aviation firms. Digital footage of the crash was swiftly pulled from Chinese social media, underscoring concerns over security oversight. The incident raises urgent questions about mental‑health support and aviation safety protocols in China.
In a shocking act that shocked the nation, a 66‑year‑old Beijing resident deliberately crashed his small two‑seat aircraft into the 109‑storey CITIC Tower last Friday, killing himself and injuring 13 others.
The pilot, identified only by his surname Liu, had been suffering from chronic insomnia and anxiety, according to a statement by the Chaoyang district government. His diary was said to contain multiple expressions of suicidal intent. The official investigation concluded that the incident was a case of endangering public safety caused by personal reasons.
The Aurora SA60L flown by Liu is a two‑seat, single‑engine aircraft designed for touring and aerial photography. It is manufactured by Chinese company Sunward Aircraft and features a 6.9‑meter length and an 8.6‑meter wingspan.
Following the crash, videos from around the incident were widely circulated on the Chinese internet before being removed, raising concerns over a major security breach. The CITIC Tower, also known as China Zun, sits only a few kilometres from Zhongnanhai, the Communist Party’s headquarters, and has long been regarded by many as a local lucky charm.
In response to the tragedy, several aviation firms informed the BBC they had been instructed to suspend light‑aircraft operations. While one of the injured has since been discharged from hospital care, authorities are continuing to investigate the full circumstances surrounding the crash.
The incident has reignited debate on mental‑health support for pilots and the regulation of recreational aviation in China, with experts calling for more stringent screening and oversight to prevent similar incidents.
