2 pilots killed in Beijing helicopter crash

Two helicopter pilots were killed in Beijing when their aircraft crashed into a river during a flight from Changping district to Shidu Scenic Spot in Fangshan district at around 3:30 pm on Wednesday, according to an announcement released on Thursday by regional authorities under the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

No further information was initially released.

The helicopter was seriously damaged, but no casualties were reported on the ground. The flight involved a company that provides private flight services, mainly with helicopters.

The CAAC North China Regional Administration launched an emergency response and set up an accident investigative team at the scene.