Post by : Rameen Ariff

In a tragic accident in Jiange County, central China, 55-year-old content creator Tang Feiji lost his life when his ultralight aircraft crashed while he was livestreaming the flight. The crash, which occurred on September 27, was witnessed in real-time by hundreds of his followers on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, where Tang had amassed over 100,000 followers. The livestream was later widely shared across other social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter).

Tang had reportedly purchased the ultralight aircraft for approximately $49,000 (around 350,000 Chinese Yuan). He claimed in earlier videos that he had mastered its controls after just six hours of practice, raising serious concerns about safety and the regulations surrounding ultralight aircraft operations. At the time of the crash, he was neither wearing a helmet nor equipped with a parachute, making the flight extremely dangerous.

Reports indicate that Tang lost control of the aircraft mid-flight. The aircraft reportedly burst into flames upon impact, and Tang was pronounced dead at the scene. Witnesses of the livestream expressed panic and desperation, posting urgent messages such as “save him” and “call emergency services” as the crash unfolded.

This was not Tang’s first experience with technical difficulties during flights. In 2024, he had experienced fuel gauge malfunctions on two occasions, causing minor drops in altitude of less than 30 feet. Aviation experts have emphasized that such incidents highlight the dangers of inexperienced pilots operating ultralight aircraft, especially without proper safety gear or training.

Following the crash, Tang’s social media accounts were switched to private, leaving only existing followers with access. However, the livestream and video clips of the accident have circulated widely across social media, generating grief and concern among his fans. Many followers remembered Tang as a daring and passionate pilot who regularly shared his flying adventures online.

Aviation safety authorities and experts have now called for stricter enforcement of safety protocols for ultralight aircraft and for content creators to exercise caution when livestreaming high-risk activities. This tragic incident underscores the growing concern about the combination of social media fame and dangerous stunts, prompting debates on safety, regulations, and the responsibility of online influencers.

Tang Feiji’s death serves as a reminder of the risks associated with ultralight aviation and the need for rigorous training, adherence to safety regulations, and proper protective equipment to prevent future tragedies.

#world news #Global News