Chinese authorities have identified the pilot who deliberately flew a small aircraft into Beijing's tallest skyscraper last week as a 66-year-old local resident who had reportedly expressed suicidal thoughts.
According to officials, the man, identified only by his surname Liu, took off from a general aviation airport in northeastern Beijing on June 26 aboard a two-seater Sunward SA60L Aurora aircraft. After initially flying with a companion, Liu continued the flight alone before deviating from his approved route, losing contact with air traffic authorities and crashing into the 109-story CITIC Tower in Beijing's Central Business District.
The crash killed Liu and injured 13 people inside and around the building. Authorities said none of the injured suffered life-threatening injuries, with one victim already discharged from hospital.
Investigators said Liu, who earned his pilot's license in 2021, was a self-employed divorcee who lived alone and had struggled with chronic insomnia and anxiety. Officials said his diary contained several references to ending his life, leading investigators to conclude that the incident was motivated by personal reasons and constituted an act of endangering public safety.
The incident shocked residents after the aircraft breached Beijing's tightly controlled airspace and slammed into the 528-metre skyscraper, sending debris and shattered glass onto nearby streets. The crash also sparked questions about the city's air defense and aviation security systems.
Authorities initially remained silent about the incident, with reports and videos quickly removed from Chinese social media before officials publicly confirmed the crash nearly a day later.
.jpeg)
0 Comment about the Post: