Small Plane Crashes Into Beijing's CITIC Tower, Killing Pilot and Injuring 13

A single-engine, two-seat light sports aircraft collided with the CITIC Tower (also known as China Zun) in Beijing's Chaoyang District on Friday, June 26, 2026, at 5:55 p.m., killing the pilot and injuring 13 people. The 108-story CITIC Tower, standing over 528 meters tall and recognized by its distinctive ancient Chinese wine vessel shape, is Beijing's tallest building. According to official statements released by Beijing authorities on June 27, the aircraft was the only occupant aboard, and all injured persons are receiving medical treatment. The crash caused significant damage to the building's facade, with broken windows visible on upper floors and aircraft debris scattered across the ground, including wreckage that ignited on the building's east entrance canopy.

Online tracking data from Flightradar24 indicated the aircraft, registered as B-12PP and identified as a domestically manufactured Sunward SA60L Aurora, departed from Beijing's Shigezhuang Airport before significantly deviating from its flight path. The plane struck the building's eastern side and disintegrated in mid-air, with fragments falling across a wide area. Eyewitnesses reported a loud impact comparable to fireworks, and video footage captured the moments of collision and subsequent emergency response. The incident occurred in the Chaoyang District, approximately 7 kilometers east of Zhongnanhai and Tiananmen Square, within an area where aircraft operations are strictly controlled.

The crash generated immediate response from emergency services, with numerous police vehicles, fire trucks, and ambulances deployed to the scene. Building occupants evacuated to nearby streets as authorities cordoned off surrounding roads and restricted public access and photography. Chinese social media platforms saw videos of the fire and aircraft wreckage posted but subsequently removed. Authorities noted the incident is under investigation by relevant departments, though the specific cause of the accident remains unclear. The crash is particularly significant given Beijing's strict airspace regulations and the recent implementation of comprehensive rules that have effectively prohibited drone flights within the city's jurisdiction since May 1, 2026.