Flying cars collide at Chinese air show, one crashes and bursts into flames

Two Chinese flying cars collided in the air on Tuesday, September 16, during a rehearsal flight for an air show. Both the flying cars belonged to a unit of Chinese electric vehicle (EV) maker Xpeng Inc.

According to a Global Times report, Xpeng Aeroht confirmed on Tuesday that two of its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles “made contact” during the rehearsal flight. One of the vehicles caught fire after crashing to the ground.

Xpeng Aeroht is the flying car unit of Xpeng that was founded in 2013.

Xpeng eVTOL crash

The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon following a flying demonstration by Guangdong Xpeng Aeroht General Aviation at the Changchun Air Show, the company told the Global Times in a statement.

The Changchun Air Show 2025 will start on September 19. However, two Xpeng Aeroht eVTOLs were engaged in a rehearsal flight on September 16 when they collided.

The company said they were practicing a formation flight when insufficient spacing led to the collision.

One of the flying cars managed to land safely. However, the other suffered fuselage damage and caught fire upon landing.

Visuals shared online show fire engines at the site trying to extinguish the flames.

Xpeng said there were no injuries. “All personnel at the scene are safe, and relevant departments have handled the situation in an orderly manner,” the company said in its statement to Global Times, adding that the cause of the incident is still under investigation.