Pilot, 66, who flew plane into Beijing skyscraper expressed suicidal thoughts, was divorcé who lived alone

The pilot who flew his plane into Beijing's tallest skyscraper on Jun. 26 was a 66-year-old male local resident who had expressed suicidal thoughts, China authorities said on Jul. 2, CNN reported.

This was the first time local authorities had shared details of the incident, where a small plane crashed into the side of the 109-storey CITIC Tower in Beijing.

Deviated from flight path

According to CNN, the pilot, identified only by his surname Liu, took off from a general aviation airport in northeastern Beijing on Friday afternoon.

He first obtained his pilot license in 2021.

He initially flew with a companion in a domestically-manufactured two-seater aircraft, then flew solo and deviated from the designated flight path.

He lost contact with the airport before striking the 528m- tall CITIC Tower in Beijing's Central Business District.

Self-employed divorcê who lived alone

Officials cited multiple references in Liu's diary about "ending [his] life", CNN wrote, saying that he was a self-employed divorcé.

Liu lived alone and suffered from chronic insomnia and anxiety.

Investigators concluded that the incident was a case of endangering public safety caused by personal reasons, CNN reported.

13 people were injured, but none suffered life-threatening conditions.

One has already been discharged, the authorities said.

Helplines

If you or someone you know are in mental distress, here are some hotlines you can call to seek help, advice, or just a listening ear:

National mindline.sg Hotline: 1771 (24 hours)

National mindline.sg WhatsApp: 66691771 (24 hours)

SOS 24-hour Hotline: 1-767

Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019

Centre for Domestic Employees: 1800 225 5233 (24 hours)

Foreign Domestic Worker Association for Social Support and Training: 1800 339 4357 (24 hours)

HOME (migrant worker): +65 6341 5535 (WhatsApp / Viber / SMS)

HOME (domestic worker): +65 9787 3122 (WhatsApp / SMS / Call)

SHECARES@SCWO: Call: 8001 01 4616 | WhatsApp: 8985 5528 (For targets of online harms)

National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline (NAVH): 1800-777-0000