Xpeng eVTOL collision at Changchun airshow rehearsal, craft ablaze

Two electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles operated by Xpeng AeroHT collided in midair during a rehearsal for the Changchun Air Show on Tuesday in Jilin province, sending one aircraft to the ground and setting it ablaze, the company said. Xpeng AeroHT said the formation flight suffered insufficient spacing, that one vehicle sustained fuselage damage and caught fire upon landing, and that local authorities had carried out emergency measures at the scene.

Video clips circulating on Chinese social media showed a flaming vehicle on the ground as fire engines attended to the blaze. Xpeng AeroHT said in a statement that "all personnel at the scene are safe, and relevant departments have handled the situation in an orderly manner." The company added that an investigation into the cause of the collision is underway. CNN, citing an anonymous company employee, reported that one person was injured; Xpeng has not publicly confirmed any injuries and the condition of the person was not immediately clear.

Witnesses and industry outlets reported that the other eVTOL was able to land safely. Company comments described the incident as a contact during a practice formation caused by...