Beijing authorities said Thursday that a 66-year-old pilot crashed his small plane into the CITIC Tower last week, killing himself and injuring 13 others. The incident was ruled a case of endangering public safety for personal reasons.
The Chaoyang District government statement said the pilot, identified only by his surname Liu, was a divorced freelancer who lived alone and suffered from chronic insomnia and anxiety. His diary contained multiple expressions of ending his life.
Investigators found that Liu obtained his sport pilot's licence in 2021 and private pilot's licence in 2024. Last Friday he took off from an airport in Pinggu District, conducted accompanying and solo flights, then deviated from the designated area, lost contact with the airport and collided with the 109-storey CITIC Tower.
The aircraft was a two-seat single-engine Aurora SA60L made by Sunward Aircraft. One of the injured has been discharged from hospital while others remain in treatment.
