During the evening rush hour on June 26, 2026, a small, single-engine plane crashed into the CITIC Tower, Beijing's tallest skyscraper. The aircraft hit the upper floors of the 109-story building, which is located in the city's busy Central Business District. Video showed the plane striking the glass facade, and parts of the wreckage fell to the streets below.
The falling debris injured thirteen people on the ground and started a small fire. The pilot, the only person on board, died in the crash. Two exterior glass panels on the skyscraper were damaged. The plane was identified as a Sunward SA60L Aurora, a light sport aircraft used for training and recreational flights. It had taken off from Shifosi Airport.
Beijing's airspace is known for being very restricted, requiring special permission for any aircraft. This crash raised questions about how the small plane managed to enter the controlled airspace. The incident occurred shortly after new security rules were put in place banning unauthorized recreational flying. Despite these restrictions, the plane reportedly deviated significantly from its planned route.
Authorities quickly secured the area and prevented photography of the crash site. Images and videos of the incident were removed from Chinese social media. The Chaoyang District government confirmed the crash but did not release the pilot's identity or explain how the plane bypassed air traffic controls. This is the first fatal aviation incident in Beijing since 2022.