China Grounds Private Aircraft Following Beijing Skyscraper Crash

China has banned private operators from flying light aircraft after a small plane crashed into one of Beijing’s tallest buildings last week, the Financial Times reported on Monday. A pilot was killed and 13 other people were injured when the small aircraft struck the CITIC Tower, the capital’s tallest skyscraper also known as China Zun, on Friday. Citing three operators of small propeller-driven aircraft and one glider company, the report stated that all operators have been grounded following the Beijing incident. The report added that skydiving and paragliding services have also been suspended due to a nationwide airspace control order covering recreational flights. No deadline has been set for the implementation of these control measures. Video from the scene showed debris falling from the 528-metre tower after the impact, with the aircraft’s tail section visible on the ground. Beijing district authorities said an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident. Non-cargo and non-commercial aviation activity in China dropped sharply on Saturday following the incident, the Financial Times reported, citing live flight tracking data from Flightradar24. Earlier this year, Beijing authorities also introduced new rules banning drone flights over most parts of the Chinese capital.