Beijing Skyscraper Pilot's Death Wish Revealed in Suicide Note

A small plane crashed into Beijing’s tallest building, the 108-story CITIC tower, on June 26, an incident that Chinese authorities have attributed to the pilot's "personal reasons." The crash, which occurred in a downtown skyscraper district around 6 p.m. as people were leaving work, raised significant questions about security in the Chinese capital, known for its strict airspace controls.

The pilot, a 66-year-old man identified only by the surname Liu, died in the crash. According to a statement posted on social media by Beijing’s Chaoyang district government, Liu's diary contained multiple references to "ending his life," leading investigators to conclude that personal motives were behind the incident. Thirteen other individuals sustained injuries, though none were life-threatening, and one injured person has already been discharged from the hospital.

Liu had taken off on a solo flight in a two-seat training plane from a general aviation airport located in the outskirts of Beijing. Authorities reported that he deviated from the designated flying area and contact with him was subsequently lost. Details released about Liu's personal life paint a picture of an individual facing difficulties; he had no fixed job, was divorced, lived alone, and reportedly suffered from insomnia and anxiety.

The impact of the crash left a visible hole in the glass facade of the CITIC tower, affectionately nicknamed the “Zun” building due to its resemblance to an ancient Chinese wine vessel. The event's occurrence in central Beijing, an area where China’s leaders live and work and which maintains stringent airspace regulations, including a ban on drones, intensified public and official scrutiny over security protocols.