Small aircraft crashes in Beijing over past 20 years

A rare aircraft crash occurred in Beijing on Friday when a small plane, described as being about the size of a car, impacted the city's tallest building. Witnesses observed the unusual event unfold in China's capital, an area known for its stringent airspace controls.

This incident adds to a concerning history of accidents involving small aircraft and helicopters within Beijing over the last 20 years. Aviation authorities and Chinese state media reports document several such crashes, highlighting ongoing safety concerns.

Notable incidents include a tourist helicopter crash on July 6, 2022, between Beijing's Changping and Fangshan districts, which claimed the lives of two pilots. On July 30, 2018, pilot error led to a civil helicopter crashing into a parking lot in Beijing's Chaoyang district, injuring four people. Earlier, on June 6, 2015, a small training helicopter crashed into Miyun Reservoir, killing two individuals. Another training aircraft crashed into a river near Miyun Reservoir on April 10, 2014, resulting in one fatality and one injury. A police helicopter crashed into Miyun Reservoir on August 17, 2011, while returning from a drill, killing four of its five crew members. Additionally, a helicopter crashed and caught fire in the remote Pinggu district on July 12, 2008, after hitting a high-voltage power line during pesticide spraying, killing the pilot.