An aviation social media influencer tragically lost his life in front of more than 1,000 followers when his ultralight aircraft crashed and caught fire during a live broadcast. Tang Feiji was live-streaming his flight when his twin-rotor aircraft suddenly veered sharply and crashed in Jiange County, central China. Viewers watching the livestream pleaded desperately for emergency assistance, but it was too late. Tang, aged 55, was declared dead at the crash site.
Tang was a popular figure in Guangyuan City, Sichuan Province, known for sharing frequent flying content online. He had amassed approximately 100,000 followers on the Chinese social media platform Douyin. Just before the fatal accident, he had landed briefly to adjust his camera before taking off again. Shockingly, he was not wearing a helmet or parachute during the flight.
Following Tang’s tragic death, his livestream account has been made private, limiting access to his previous content to existing followers only. Authorities in China have launched investigations into the incident. Reports indicate that Tang had survived two prior crashes attributed to technical malfunctions, including a faulty fuel gauge. He had acquired the aircraft for around £36,500 (CNY 350,000) last year.
Despite believing that a pilot’s license was unnecessary for operating such ultralight aircraft, aviation experts emphasize the importance of proper licensing for flying any low-altitude aircraft. The tragic event has sparked discussions about safety measures and regulations within the aviation community.