A 66-year-old man identified only by his surname Liu intentionally flew his small plane into Beijing’s CITIC Tower last Friday, Chinese authorities confirmed Thursday. The crash, which injured 13 people and killed the pilot, was caused by the man’s personal struggles, including chronic insomnia, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts, officials stated.
Liu, a self-employed divorcé who lived alone, took off from a general aviation airport in northeastern Beijing in a Sunward SA60L Aurora, a domestically manufactured two-seater aircraft. He initially flew with a companion before deviating from the designated flight path and losing contact with the airport. The plane struck the 528-meter (1,732-foot) skyscraper in Beijing’s Central Business District, home to major companies and foreign embassies.
Authorities cited multiple references in Liu’s diary to ending his life, concluding the incident was a case of endangering public safety due to personal reasons. None of the injured suffered life-threatening conditions, with one already discharged from the hospital.
The crash occurred despite Beijing’s strict aviation controls, which typically prohibit civilian flights over the city’s core. The incident was heavily censored in China, with authorities acknowledging it nearly a day after the crash. Witnesses reported a loud bang, falling debris, and a rapid emergency response, while authorities sealed off nearby streets and began evacuations.
Flight data showed the aircraft departed from an airport roughly 30 miles east of Beijing before heading west toward the capital. The flight ended near the East Third Ring Road at about 6 p.m. on Friday after deviating from its expected route.