Chinese influencer Tang Feiji, 55, died on September 27 when his ultralight aircraft crashed during a livestreamed flight to his thousands of Douyin followers. Multiple outlets, including China News Service and Cover News, confirmed the news. He was 55.
Feiji, who had around 100,000 followers on Douyin, was streaming to his fans as he operated the lightweight, single-seat aircraft. During the flight, he lost control, and the plane crashed, bursting into flames.
Social media videos showed him taking off, flying into the distance, and then crashing to the ground suddenly. Cover News reported that hundreds of viewers witnessed the accident live. While watching the live stream, many horrified viewers flooded the live chat with desperate pleas of “save him” and “call the emergency services.”
The influencer was unfortunately pronounced dead at the scene from the impact and blaze that followed. Just moments earlier, he had briefly landed to adjust his camera angle before taking off again. According to reports, the influencer was not wearing a helmet or a parachute at the time of the crash.
Details of the Fatal Flight
People reported that the authorities confirmed that the crash did not cause any additional damage to the local area. In earlier posts, Feiji revealed he had purchased the aircraft for 350,000 Chinese Yuan (about $49,000 USD). The craft weighed just over 250 pounds, could climb nearly 2,000 feet, and reached speeds over 60 miles per hour.
Feiji also admitted he had mastered the controls after only six hours of practice, according to CNS.
Past Concerns About Aircraft Safety
The influencer had previously reported safety concerns with his aircraft. According to People in 2024, he told Cover News that the vehicle had experienced fuel gauge malfunctions on two separate occasions, each time resulting in a drop of less than 30 feet. Despite those scares, he continued to fly and document his experiences online.
Tributes & Social Media Reaction
According to the US Sun, after the accident, Feiji’s social media accounts were switched to private. His followers expressed grief across platforms, remembering him as an adventurous spirit who often shared his passion for flying.
Cover News noted that while his videos highlighted his enthusiasm for aviation, they also raised concerns about safety risks tied to ultralight aircraft flown with limited training.
Feiji’s death has sparked conversations online about the dangers of livestreaming extreme hobbies, as tributes continue to pour in for the late creator.
