China grounds private light aircraft after Beijing tower crash

WEB DESK: China has imposed restrictions on private aviation operators, grounding light fixed-wing aircraft following last week’s crash of a small plane into one of Beijing’s tallest buildings, according to a report by the Financial Times.

The restrictions were introduced after a small propeller aircraft crashed into the 528-metre CITIC Tower, also known as China Zun, on Friday, killing the pilot and injuring 13 other people.

Quoting private aviation operators and a glider company, the report said fleets of small propeller-driven aircraft had been grounded nationwide following the incident.

The report also said recreational skydiving and paragliding activities have been suspended under a nationwide airspace control order.

Flight-tracking data from Flightradar24 showed a sharp decline in non-commercial and non-cargo aircraft operations across China on Saturday after the crash.

Authorities have not announced when the restrictions will be lifted.

The aircraft involved in the accident was identified as a Sunward SA60L Aurora, a domestically manufactured two-seat light-sport aircraft.

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Videos shared on social media showed debris falling from the upper floors of the CITIC Tower immediately after the impact, while photographs later showed part of the aircraft’s tail section on the ground.

Beijing district authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation to determine the cause of the crash.

The incident comes after China introduced tighter aviation controls in the capital earlier this year, including strict restrictions on unmanned aerial vehicle operations across much of Beijing.

The last major aviation accident in the Chinese capital occurred in 2022, when a tourist helicopter crashed during a flight between the Changping and Fangshan districts, killing both pilots on board.