Beijing Air Crash Track Date Revealed, Sparks Major Security Fears Flight data shows light aircraft narrowly missed passenger jet before smashing into China’s tallest building Flight data shows light aircraft narrowly missed passenger jet before smashing into China’s tallest building New flight tracking data has revealed that the light aircraft which crashed into Beijing’s tallest skyscraper last week came dangerously close to a passenger jet moments before the impact, raising serious questions about security in China’s tightly controlled airspace. The single-engine Sunward SA 60L Aurora struck the 109-storey CITIC Tower, also known as China Zun, at around 5.55pm local time on June 26. The pilot, who was flying alone, was killed instantly. Thirteen people on the ground were injured as debris rained down onto busy streets during the evening rush hour. Near Miss With Passenger PlaneFlight tracking data from Flightradar24 showed the aircraft heading directly into the path of a Hainan Airlines Airbus A330 approaching Beijing Capital International Airport. The passenger jet was forced to abort its landing and climb sharply from roughly 990 metres to 2,790 metres within minutes. The two aircraft came within just 457 metres of each other — far closer than standard safety separation rules normally allow. It remains unclear whether air traffic control ordered the Airbus crew to pull up or whether the aircraft’s onboard collision-avoidance system triggered the manoeuvre automatically. Commercial Flights DisruptedAt least two commercial flights were forced to abandon their landing approaches as controllers redirected traffic away from the area. The sport aircraft had taken off from Beijing’s Shifosi airport before deviating sharply from its approved route and eventually colliding with the skyscraper, which houses state-owned conglomerate CITIC Group and technology giant Alibaba. The building sits in one of the capital’s most sensitive districts, close to multiple embassies, including the British Embassy, as well as offices of the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation. Questions Over Airspace SecurityChinese regulations normally require all flights — including private and recreational aircraft — to obtain advance approval and submit detailed flight plans. Flying over urban areas is generally prohibited. The incident has therefore sparked intense scrutiny over how a small aircraft was able to enter restricted airspace and approach both a major airport and a high-profile government district. Aviation security expert Keith Tonkin said the crash exposed a significant gap in the ability of aviation and defence authorities to prevent an aircraft from reaching a sensitive target, whether intentionally or by accident. Information Tightened As Flights HaltedDiscussion of the crash on Chinese social media was rapidly censored, with witnesses reportedly instructed by police to delete photographs and videos from their phones. National media outlets initially gave the incident little coverage, while local authorities referred only to a “single-engine, two-seat light sport aircraft” striking a “high-rise building”. China has since temporarily suspended many light aircraft operations nationwide while investigators examine the cause of the crash. The disruption comes at an awkward moment for Beijing, which has been aggressively promoting its “low-altitude economy” — including drones, air taxis and general aviation — as a major future growth industry expected to be worth hundreds of billions of pounds by 2035. Instead, the crash has become a stark reminder that even a small aircraft can create a major security crisis in one of the world’s most heavily controlled capitals. SOURCE
