Chinese authorities have released the most detailed official account yet of the fatal incident that occurred on 26 June, when a small propeller aircraft crashed into Beijing's tallest building, the China Citic tower. The statement, published on Thursday, identified the pilot as a 66-year-old man surnamed Liu, who had mental health problems.
Pilot's Background and Actions
According to the Chaoyang district government statement, Liu was a divorced man who lived alone and obtained a private pilot's license in 2024. On the afternoon of the incident, he took off from a general aviation airport in Pinggu district, on the far outskirts of eastern Beijing. During the flight, he deviated from the designated area, lost contact with the airport, and subsequently collided with the high-rise building, dying at the scene.
The authorities stated that Liu suffered from chronic insomnia and anxiety and had repeatedly written in a diary about ending his life. The comprehensive investigation concluded that this was a case of endangering public safety caused by personal reasons.
Incident Details and Response
The crash occurred in Beijing's central business district, approximately 8km (five miles) from the Zhongnanhai compound where leader Xi Jinping lives. China has some of the world's strictest aviation control policies, with drones and light aircraft forbidden from flying over the city without permission. Despite this, Liu managed to fly the plane into the skyscraper, which is the headquarters of the state-owned financial services group.
Thirteen people suffered injuries in the crash, none of which were life-threatening. On the night of the crash, there was a heavy police presence around the China Citic tower, with officers ordering people not to take pictures. The authorities did not release any official statement until nearly 24 hours later.
Social Media and Public Reaction
Although pictures and videos initially circulated on social media, many were quickly deleted. A search for China Citic tower or terms related to the plane crash on the social media platform Weibo on 3 July only produced posts unrelated to the incident. One relevant post from 2 July read: “The most ridiculous news I heard today … [a person] crashed a plane into the Citic building … where did you get that from? There’s no such thing.”
Context of Similar Incidents
China has in recent years experienced a spate of what have been called “revenge against society” attacks – deadly rampages committed by people apparently driven to breaking point by personal grievances. Authorities are reluctant to acknowledge such incidents, and when they do, the perpetrator is often described as an isolated, unstable individual. This case follows a similar pattern.
