"The impact damaged two glass panels on a high floor and sent debris, including the aircraft's tail section, onto the streets below."

Light Aircraft Strikes Beijing's CITIC Tower; Pilot Killed, 13 Injured

A small aircraft struck the CITIC Tower (also known as China Zun) in Beijing's central business district on Friday, June 26, 2026, at approximately 6:00 pm local time. The impact resulted in the death of the pilot and injuries to 13 people on the ground.

Incident Details

The aircraft was a two-seat Sunward SA 60L Aurora light sports plane, as identified by Flightradar24 records. It is a domestically manufactured, single-engine aircraft operated by a local general aviation company. The plane's registration code is B-12PP.

The aircraft struck the upper portion of the 528-meter, 108-story skyscraper, which is the headquarters of the state-owned conglomerate CITIC Group. The impact damaged two glass panels on a high floor and sent debris, including the aircraft's tail section, onto the streets below. Witnesses reported hearing a loud crash, described by one as "louder than fireworks."

Casualties and Response

Authorities have stated the pilot was the sole occupant of the aircraft and was killed in the crash. Thirteen individuals on the ground were injured.

Police closed roads around the CITIC Tower and deployed dozens of police cars and several fire trucks to the scene. Some witnesses reported that authorities prevented them from filming or taking photographs, and some were asked to delete existing images. A police officer directed journalists to leave the area without explanation.

Official Statements and Investigation

Initial official comment from the Beijing government was delayed. The Beijing municipal government and CITIC Group did not respond to immediate requests for comment. State media did not initially report the crash.

The Beijing government later confirmed the incident, stating the aircraft was a single-engine double-seat light sports plane with the pilot as the sole occupant.

The cause of the crash remains undetermined. It is not known whether the incident was accidental or intentional.

Background

The incident occurred in downtown Beijing, where airspace is heavily restricted. This has raised questions regarding how the aircraft was able to fly over the city. Beijing has enacted strict regulations on the operation of light aircraft and drones.

Social media posts about the incident were removed from Chinese platforms shortly after the event.