A scenic sightseeing trip in China turned into sheer terror when a helicopter suddenly spun out of control and crash-landed directly on top of tourists trying desperately to get out of the way.

The horrifying crash happened Tuesday at the Chaka Sky No. 1 Scenic Area in Qinghai Province, where visitors had gathered near the popular lake destination. What began as a routine tourist flight quickly spiraled into chaos when a yellow gyroplane appeared to lose control in midair before plunging toward the ground.

Dramatic video of the incident shows the aircraft flying in formation before smoke begins pouring from it. Within moments, the gyroplane starts losing altitude as the pilot appears to struggle to regain control.

A Harbin XLI (Celier Xenon) gyroplane was involved in an accident during a sightseeing flight over the Chaka Salt Lake tourist area in China.

While conducting a low-altitude flight, the gyroplane reportedly encountered the rotor downwash (wake turbulence) generated by another… pic.twitter.com/EmHe4IllAT

— FL360aero (@fl360aero) July 22, 2026

Then, in a terrifying turn, the aircraft begins spinning wildly before slamming down near a group of people on the ground.

Two tourists were struck by the aircraft as they tried to flee the crash zone. Both suffered serious head injuries, according to reports.

Despite the frightening impact, officials said both injured tourists remained conscious after the crash and were rushed to a hospital for treatment. Their vital signs were later described as stable.

The pilot and passengers inside the aircraft were not injured. After escaping the wreckage, they reportedly rushed to help the wounded tourists.

The footage has since sparked shock online, with viewers stunned by how quickly the sightseeing flight turned into a nightmare. One moment, the aircraft was part of what appeared to be a scenic aerial display. The next, it was spinning toward the ground as tourists ran for their lives.

Early indications suggest the crash may have been triggered by turbulence from another nearby gyroplane, which could have caused the pilot to lose control. Authorities have seized the aircraft and launched a formal investigation into the cause of the crash.

The Chaka Sky No. 1 Scenic Area is known for its sweeping lake views and tourist attractions, but Tuesday’s incident has raised fresh questions about safety around low-flying sightseeing aircraft and crowded visitor areas.

Officials have not yet released the names of the injured tourists, the pilot, or any passengers on board the aircraft.

The investigation remains ongoing.