Two visitors were swiftly taken to the hospital following an incident where a helicopter crash-landed in China. The helicopter, used for sightseeing, unexpectedly descended and collided with onlookers, resulting in head injuries, with one individual being more severely affected. This occurrence took place in Qinghai Province on Tuesday.
Video footage captured the moment when the yellow gyroplane was executing a low-altitude display flight as part of a trio of aircraft. Suddenly, the aircraft lost control, emitting smoke, and descended rapidly, ultimately hitting two spectators standing nearby, who were helpless to avoid the impact.
The crash unfolded at Chaka Sky No. 1 Scenic Area by the salt lake in Qinghai Province. The injured tourists were conscious upon arrival at Ulan County People’s Hospital before being transferred to a larger medical facility in Haixi Prefecture.
According to officials from the Ulan County Joint Investigation Group, a self-rotating rotorcraft made a crash landing, injuring two individuals on the ground. The victims received prompt medical care, and their condition is reported as stable. The authorities have confiscated the aircraft, and the scenic spot has been closed while an investigation into the cause is conducted. Initial assessments suggest that wake turbulence from a nearby gyroplane may have triggered the loss of control.
The occupants of the Harbin XLI gyroplane, capable of accommodating two to three people, escaped unharmed. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
In a separate incident, an aviation influencer tragically lost his life in China in front of a large audience of over 1,000 fans. During a livestream last September, the influencer, Tang Feiji, was broadcasting live when his twin-rotor aircraft sharply turned and crashed into Jiange County, central China, igniting into flames. Viewers of the livestream were horrified and called for emergency assistance to save the influencer, but sadly, Tang, aged 55, succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Tang was a well-known figure on the internet in Guangyuan City, Sichuan Province, renowned for his frequent flying content, with approximately 100,000 followers on the Chinese social media platform Douyin. Moments before the fatal crash, he had landed briefly to adjust his camera before taking off again. Notably, he was not wearing a helmet or parachute while flying the aircraft.