The crash drew attention to airspace controls over one of China’s most guarded cities.
BEIJING, China — Chinese authorities opened an investigation Saturday after a light aircraft hit Beijing’s tallest skyscraper, killing its pilot and injuring 13 people in a rare crash over the capital.
The collision happened Friday at 5:55 p.m. in Chaoyang district, a dense business area filled with office towers, hotels and major roads. Local officials said the aircraft was a two-seat light sport plane and that the pilot was the only person on board.
The plane hit CITIC Tower, widely known as China Zun, near the East Third Ring Road. The tower is the tallest building in Beijing and one of the best-known structures in the city’s skyline. Images from the area showed broken glass panels and debris near the building as police, firefighters and ambulances gathered nearby.
Authorities said the injured were being treated but gave no details on their conditions. They also did not explain whether the plane was on a training flight, a private flight or another type of trip. Flight-tracking data showed the aircraft, registered B-12PP, traveling over northeast Beijing before it headed toward the central business district.
The aircraft was identified as a Sunward SA 60L Aurora, a small single-engine sport plane. Such aircraft are used for training and general aviation. The crash drew special attention because Beijing has some of China’s strictest airspace controls, including limits on drones and small aircraft.
Police quickly tightened security around the tower after the crash. Nearby roads were blocked, and some members of the public were told not to take photos. Posts and videos about the crash spread on social media outside China, while some references on Chinese platforms appeared to be removed.
CITIC Tower stands in a high-profile commercial zone and houses offices for CITIC Group, a major state-owned conglomerate. The 108-story tower is more than 1,700 feet tall and sits east of Beijing’s historic core, where national leadership compounds and government buildings are located.
Witnesses said the crash caused a sharp blast and sent pieces of the plane and building material falling toward the street. A courier who went to the area after hearing the impact said the noise was intense. Others described emergency crews moving quickly to keep people away from the entrance.
Investigators are expected to review the pilot’s route, air traffic records, aircraft maintenance history and any communications before the crash. Officials have not announced a timeline for releasing findings.
Author note: Last updated June 27, 2026.