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🇸🇬 Singapore /Disasters & Emergencies

China suspends aviation firm linked to Beijing light aircraft crash

From The Straits Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Outcome reported
  • China's civil aviation authority ordered an operator linked to a fatal June plane crash to suspend operations.
  • The crash killed the pilot and injured 13 people on the ground.
  • The authority cited safety hazards and issues with flight personnel qualifications and aircraft airworthiness.

China's civil aviation authority has ordered an operator connected to a light aircraft that crashed into Beijing's tallest building in June to suspend all operations and ground its fleet. The directive also mandates the elimination of "major safety hazards" identified by the North China Regional Administration of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC).

The crash, which occurred during evening rush hour in Beijing's busy central business district, resulted in the death of the pilot of the single-engine, two-seat light sport aircraft. An additional 13 individuals on the ground were injured, according to local government reports. Earlier in July, authorities revealed that the pilot had reportedly suffered from insomnia and anxiety, with his diary entries repeatedly mentioning suicidal thoughts.

Effective immediately, the companies are hereby ordered to promptly eliminate the hidden hazards, temporarily suspend production and business operations, and cease the use of aircraft

— North China Regional Administration of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC)The official order issued to the aviation companies following the investigation into the crash.

Questions persist regarding how the aircraft managed to penetrate the highly restricted airspace over the capital. The CAAC stated that aviation authorities were "unable to confirm the companies’ flight personnel qualifications and the airworthiness status of the aircraft meet the flight safety requirements for the operating license items applied for, and major safety hazards exist."

The notice specifically named Dongshi Shuangyue General Aviation and Dongshi Kunpeng General Aviation. While it was not immediately clear if Dongshi Kunpeng had direct links to the crash, the aircraft involved, registration number B-12PP, was identified as being owned and operated by Dongshi Shuangyue in a company promotional video. Dongshi Shuangyue offers low-altitude sightseeing flights, flight experience programs, and aviation training in Beijing's suburban Pinggu district.

unable to confirm the companies’ flight personnel qualifications and the airworthiness status of the aircraft meet the flight safety requirements for the operating license items applied for, and major safety hazards exist

— North China Regional Administration of the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC)The official reason cited for suspending the companies' operations.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Straits Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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