Key facts
- Beijing authorities attributed the plane crash into the CITIC Tower to 'personal reasons,' including mental health issues.
- The pilot, identified as Liu, was a 66-year-old who had obtained a private pilot's license in 2024.
- Liu suffered from chronic insomnia and anxiety and had written about ending his life in his diary.
- The pilot died in the crash, and 13 other people sustained injuries.
- The incident involved a small propeller aircraft deviating from its flight path and colliding with the skyscraper.
Chinese authorities announced that the pilot of a small plane that crashed into Beijing's CITIC Tower last week cited 'personal reasons,' including insomnia, anxiety, and a desire to end his life, according to his diary. The pilot, identified only by his surname Liu, was a 66-year-old divorced man who lived alone and had obtained a private pilot’s licence in 2024. 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. The crash killed Liu and wounded 13 others, with none of the injuries being life-threatening. The incident occurred around 6 p.m. in Beijing’s central business district, leaving a hole in the glass facade of the 108-story CITIC tower. Liu had deviated from his planned flight path during an independent flight after initially flying with another person. Beijing has strict aviation control policies, and such incidents are rare.