Two air vehicles collided during a practice session for an air exhibition showcasing their technological capabilities. Following the mid-air crash, one of the aircraft caught fire upon landing. Despite one individual sustaining injuries, all spectators remained unharmed during the incident at the Changchun Air Show rehearsal in northeastern China.
Video footage circulating on the Chinese social platform Weibo depicted one of the vehicles engulfed in flames on the ground, receiving attention from firefighting teams. Xpeng AeroHT, the company owning both vehicles, confirmed that one aircraft suffered fuselage damage and ignited upon touchdown. The company reassured that all on-site personnel were safe, with local authorities swiftly implementing emergency protocols.
These electric flying vehicles are designed for vertical takeoff and landing, with Xpeng AeroHT aiming to market them at approximately £220,000 each. In a statement, the company disclosed having secured about 3,000 pre-orders for the aircraft in January. As a prominent electric vehicle manufacturer worldwide, Xpeng AeroHT has recently expanded its operations to Europe.
Analysts suggest that Xpeng AeroHT is leveraging its electric vehicle success to drive early adoption of this emerging technology, positioning itself to spearhead the “low-altitude economy” globally.
