Overview

• The Sept. 27 flight over Jiange County was livestreamed on Douyin to hundreds–over 1,000 viewers when the twin-rotor aircraft nosedived and erupted in flames, killing the 55-year-old at the scene.
• Multiple Chinese departments and local police are investigating, with authorities reporting no other damage in the area.
• The pilot was not wearing a helmet or parachute and had just landed briefly to adjust his camera before taking off again.
• He had reported two fuel‑gauge malfunctions in 2024 and said he mastered the controls after roughly six hours of practice.
• The single-seat ultralight he bought for about 350,000 CNY was described as weighing just over 250 pounds and capable of nearly 2,000 feet and 60+ mph, and aviation experts dispute his claim that no pilot’s license was required.