Small Aircraft Crashes Into CITIC Tower in Beijing, Triggers Evacuations and Fire

A small aircraft collided with CITIC Tower, China's capital's tallest skyscraper, on Friday afternoon, causing a fire and prompting emergency evacuations. The domestically manufactured Sunward SA 60L Aurora light sport aircraft, registered as B-12PP and operated by Dongshi Shuangyue General Aviation Company, struck the upper floors on the eastern side of the 528-metre (1,732-foot), 108-story tower. Video footage from social media documented the dramatic moment of impact, showing debris cascading from the building and wreckage scattered across the surrounding pavement and green space. The collision damaged the glass facade and ignited a fire when debris fell onto the building's eastern entrance canopy.

Emergency services responded rapidly to the scene, with fire trucks, ambulances, and police arriving within minutes. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a loud noise around 5:40 p.m., and building occupants were evacuated urgently. One evacuee, surnamed Lin, stated she fled without her ID card or bag. Bystanders described observing the aircraft disintegrate mid-air before impact. A building worker told the Associated Press that a fire alarm was triggered following the crash.

Authorized police cordoned off surrounding roads and maintained a heavy security presence around the CITIC Tower, which serves as the headquarters of the state-owned CITIC Group conglomerate. Officers dispersed crowds and prevented people from photographing the scene, citing sensitivity concerns. The specific cause of the crash remains undetermined, and Chinese authorities have not released an official statement. The number of people on the aircraft at the time, which the Sunward SA 60L Aurora typically seats two, has not been confirmed.

The incident occurred amid China's newly enforced strict aviation restrictions. Since May 1, Beijing has effectively banned consumer drones, prohibiting residents from purchasing, renting, or operating unmanned aircraft without government approval across the city's jurisdiction. Flight data from Flightradar24 appeared to show a severely deviated flight path prior to impact, though exact circumstances surrounding the deviation remain unclear. This marks a significant aviation incident in one of the world's most closely monitored airspaces.