China Northern Airlines Flight 6901 was operating a scheduled domestic flight when it encountered difficulties while approaching Ürümqi Diwopu International Airport. The aircraft, a McDonnell Douglas MD-82, was attempting to land under challenging weather conditions, which included low visibility due to fog. Unfortunately, the flight lost altitude and crashed into a mountainous area just a few kilometers from the runway. All 12 individuals on board perished in the crash, leading to a significant investigation into the causes of the incident.

The investigation revealed that the flight crew faced severe limitations due to the environmental conditions and that there were procedural lapses concerning the approach. The accident underscored the importance of stringent safety measures and the need for regular training and assessments for pilots operating in adverse weather. In subsequent analyses, the findings prompted both governmental and regulatory bodies to enforce stricter aviation safety protocols and review existing operational procedures for airlines, especially in difficult terrains and weather.

In the aftermath, there was a heightened focus on improving aircraft safety standards and enhancing pilot training programs to better equip crews for handling challenging landing scenarios. The crash of Flight 6901 served as a case study for future aviation safety discussions in China and around the world, drawing attention to the need for rigorous adherence to aviation regulations.