Plane Crashes into Beijing's Tallest Skyscraper, Pilot Suspected of Suicide

A light aircraft crashed into the CITIC Tower, Beijing’s tallest skyscraper, in an incident authorities now suspect was a deliberate act of suicide by the pilot. The crash, which occurred around 5:55 p.m. local time, killed the pilot at the scene and injured 13 people inside the building, while also prompting scrutiny over how the aircraft managed to enter the heavily guarded airspace of the Chinese capital.

Authorities stated the single-engine, two-seat sports plane deviated from its approved flight path before striking the high-rise in the Chaoyang District, near the East Third Ring Road. ‘The pilot deviated from the approved flight area, lost contact with the departure airport, and then crashed into the building and died at the scene,’ the Chaoyang District government said in a statement. Although officials did not name the building, Reuters identified it as the 528-metre, 108-storey CITIC Tower, where photographs showed two large glass panels shattered by the impact.

Nearly a week after the crash, the government identified the pilot as a 66-year-old Beijing resident surnamed Liu, who had long suffered from insomnia and anxiety. Investigators found that his diary repeatedly expressed a desire to end his life. ‘His diary repeatedly mentioned a desire to end his life. The incident was caused by personal reasons,’ the district government stated. The aircraft involved was a Sunward Aurora SA60L, a Chinese-made light sport plane with a cruising speed of approximately 220 km/h and a maximum range of 1,200 kilometres.

Flight tracking data from Flightradar24 indicated the plane, registered B-12PP, took off from Shifosi Airport in Beijing and headed towards the city centre. The last recorded signal placed the aircraft roughly six kilometres from the CITIC Tower, travelling at about 191 km/h, suggesting it could have reached the building within two minutes of the final data point. Reuters was unable to verify the flight path after the signal was lost.

The incident has intensified concerns over low-altitude flight security in China. Reuters found that an Airbus A330-300 operated by Hainan Airlines, which was approaching Beijing Capital International Airport, performed a go-around shortly before the crash as the light aircraft crossed the arrival corridor. Although the two planes were separated by more than 1,000 feet in altitude, the commercial jet climbed sharply before landing via a different route. Several general aviation and sightseeing flight operators have since suspended operations pending further guidance from regulators. While the government has attributed the crash to the pilot’s personal circumstances, questions remain over how the aircraft was able to penetrate sensitive central Beijing airspace without interception.