Story perspectives

Pilot Liu’s Suicide Crash Pierces Beijing CITIC Tower, Injures 13

7/2/2026

Summary

Story summary

Officials said pilot Liu’s diary repeatedly mentioned suicide, labeling the crash as a personal act.
Liu crashed a Sunward Aurora SA60L (B-12PP) into Beijing’s 108-storey CITIC Tower after taking off from Pinggu’s general-aviation airport and leaving the approved flight area.
The impact pierced the tower, scattering debris onto streets, injuring 13 people and prompting China’s aviation authorities to suspend flight-training and safety inspections nationwide.

History

Historical Context

On 12 August 1985 a Japan Air Lines Boeing 747 crashed into Mount Takamagahara, killing 520 people—the deadliest single-aircraft accident. A faulty repair after a 1978 tail-strike failed after 12,318 pressurizations. The disaster shattered JAL’s domestic market share, prompting the Ministry of Transport to order extensive fleet inspections and new safety regulations.

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Story summary

Officials said pilot Liu’s diary repeatedly mentioned suicide, labeling the crash as a personal act.
Liu crashed a Sunward Aurora SA60L (B-12PP) into Beijing’s 108-storey CITIC Tower after taking off from Pinggu’s general-aviation airport and leaving the approved flight area.
The impact pierced the tower, scattering debris onto streets, injuring 13 people and prompting China’s aviation authorities to suspend flight-training and safety inspections nationwide.

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