Two flying cars collided during a rehearsal for an airshow in northeastern China on Tuesday, injuring a pilot and igniting one of the vehicles in a rare mishap for the country’s emerging low-altitude aviation sector.
The accident occurred in Changchun, Jilin Province, as the city prepared to host a five-day airshow starting Friday. The electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles involved were developed by Xpeng Aeroht, a subsidiary of Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Xpeng.
Footage shared on Chinese social media and state-run outlets showed thick smoke billowing from the crash site as emergency vehicles rushed to the scene. Local authorities said fire crews quickly extinguished the blaze and secured the area.
Xpeng Aeroht said in a statement that the collision was caused by “insufficient spacing” between the two aircraft. One of the vehicles suffered fuselage damage and caught fire upon landing. “All personnel at the scene are safe, and local authorities have completed on-site emergency measures in an orderly manner,” the company said, adding that an investigation is under way.
An employee familiar with the incident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told CNN that the two flying cars were performing high-difficulty stunts in close formation when the crash occurred. One pilot sustained minor injuries.
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The accident comes as China accelerates efforts to build what it calls a “low-altitude economy,” which includes flying taxis, cargo drones and other aerial applications below 3,000 meters. The sector has been highlighted as a potential growth driver by Beijing, with China’s civil aviation regulator forecasting it could reach $206 billion in market value in 2025 and more than double to $482 billion by 2035.
Manufacturers such as Xpeng Aeroht are racing to develop eVTOL technology, pitching its potential uses in tourism, logistics, agriculture and disaster relief. The company describes itself as Asia’s largest flying car maker.
China has also embraced large-scale drone operations. By 2023, there were more than 2,000 drone manufacturers and over 20,000 registered operators in the country, according to state media. In 2025, the number has increased significantly. Many cities have launched pilot projects for unmanned deliveries of parcels, food and medical supplies.
Authorities have not indicated whether the collision will affect the Changchun airshow’s schedule, but aviation experts say the incident underscores the need for stricter safety protocols as eVTOL flights move from demonstrations to commercial use.
Africa Daily News, New York
