Influencer from SW China's Sichuan dies in plane crash during livestream

(ECNS) -- A 55-year-old Chinese internet celebrity died after his ultralight aircraft crashed during a livestream on Saturday.

Online videos showed the plane suddenly losing control, crashing to the ground, and subsequently catching fire.

The victim was identified as "Tang Feiji," an online influencer from Jiange County, Guangyuan City, Sichuan Province, who had around 100,000 followers on the Chinese social media platform Douyin.

His body was recovered from the crash site, and his family members have arrived to handle the aftermath.

"Tang Feiji" gained attention for frequently piloting his personally owned aircraft. The aircraft, costing 350,000 yuan (about $49060), was an ultralight, single-seat coaxial rotor helicopter with a net weight of only 115 kilograms, according to his previous videos. It could reach a maximum altitude of 600 meters and a top speed of approximately 100 kilometers per hour, he said.

Tang said he essentially mastered the controls after just one week of self-studying theoretical knowledge and only six hours of cumulative practice.

Some industry insiders noted that pilots of low-altitude aircraft must hold a valid flight license, adding that such aircraft are also required to file a flight plan with civil aviation authorities before takeoff.

(By Zhang Dongfang)