Beijing crash pilot’s diary reveals suicidal intent

Chinese authorities have concluded that last week's light aircraft crash into a 108-storey building in central Beijing was caused by the pilot's personal issues.

Officials in Beijing's Chaoyang District said on Wednesday that a comprehensive investigation found the incident was a public safety event stemming from personal reasons.

The pilot, identified only by his surname Liu, 66, was flying a two-seat Aurora SA60L aircraft when it struck the high-rise building. Liu died in the crash, while 13 people were injured. Authorities said none of the injuries were life-threatening and one person has already been discharged from hospital.

According to the investigation, Liu had lived alone following a divorce and had long suffered from insomnia and anxiety. Authorities said his diary contained repeated entries expressing a desire to end his life.

Officials said Liu obtained a sports pilot licence in 2021 and a private pilot licence in 2024. On the day of the crash, he completed a training flight with an instructor before taking off alone, later deviating from his approved flight path and losing contact with air traffic control.

The findings were released six days after the crash, an unusually detailed disclosure for a security-related investigation in China.

Questions remain over how the aircraft was able to leave its designated flight zone and reach central Beijing before crashing into the 528-metre CITIC Tower, the capital's tallest building and headquarters of the state-owned CITIC Group.