Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleSmall plane crashes into Beijing’s tallest skyscraperA light aircraft crashed into Beijing's 109-story CITIC Tower on 26 June, killing the pilot and injuring thirteen people. Tracking data revealed the aircraft came within 457m of a Hainan Airlines passenger jet, forcing it and at least two other commercial flights to abort their landings. The incident raised significant questions about airspace security, as the single-engine plane penetrated tightly controlled airspace despite regulations prohibiting urban flying and requiring flight plan pre-approval. Chinese authorities actively suppressed information, scrubbing social media discussions, instructing bystanders to delete footage, and national media remained silent, though a temporary nationwide ban on light plane flights was implemented. The crash poses challenges for China's "low-altitude economy" initiative, a strategic growth industry, prompting concerns about balancing economic development with aviation safety. In fullFlight data shows light aircraft narrowly missed passenger plane before crashing into Beijing’s tallest buildingThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
How small plane nearly hit a passenger jet before slamming into Beijing’s CITIC Tower
Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleSmall plane crashes into Beijing’s tallest skyscraperA light aircraft crashed into Beijing's 109-story CITIC Tower on 26 June, killing the pilot and injuring thirteen people. Tracking data revealed the aircraft came within 457m of a Hainan Airlines passenger jet, forcing it and at least two other commercial flights to abort their landings. The incident raised significant questions about airspace security, as the single-engine plane penetrated tightly controlled airspace despite regulations prohibiting urban flying and requiring flight plan pre-approval. Chinese authorities actively suppressed information, scrubbing social media discussions, instructing bystanders to delete footage, and national media remained silent, though a temporary nationwide ban on light plane flights was implemented. The crash poses challenges for China's "low-altitude economy" initiative, a strategic growth industry, prompting concerns about balancing economic development with aviation safety. In fullFlight data shows light aircraft narrowly missed passenger plane before crashing into Beijing’s tallest buildingThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
