Small Plane Crashes into Beijing's Tallest Skyscraper, CITIC Tower
On June 26, 2026, a Sunward SA 60L Aurora light aircraft crashed into the 108-story CITIC Tower (China Zun) in Beijing's central business district, damaging glass panels and sending debris falling dozens of stories. Police sealed roads, prevented filming, and ordered deletion of photos/videos. Social media posts were rapidly censored. A woman with a head injury was reportedly taken to hospital. No official comment or casualty count has been released. The aircraft had deviated from its planned flight path.
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China hushes up a plane crash in the heart of its capital
On June 26, 2026, a two-seater light aircraft took off from an airfield on the outskirts of Beijing and crashed into the Citic Tower (China Zun), the capital's tallest building, located just kilometers from the Chinese Communist Party leadership's residential complex. The incident occurred just days before the CCP's 105th anniversary celebrations on July 1, which featured a concert attended by President Xi Jinping and a state ceremony at the Great Hall of the People. Chinese authorities imposed a news blackout, preventing public reporting on the unusual and embarrassing security lapse. The article from The Economist highlights the government's effort to suppress information about the crash to avoid overshadowing the party's anniversary festivities.
Latest UpdatesSmall plane crashes into Beijing's CITIC Tower, killing pilot and injuring 13
On June 26, 2026, a two-seat Sunward SA 60L Aurora light sport aircraft crashed into Beijing's CITIC Tower (China Zun), the city's tallest skyscraper, during rush hour at 5:55 PM local time. The sole occupant, the pilot, was killed, and 13 others were injured. The plane, operated by Shuangyue General Aviation, had taken off from an airport 50 km east of Beijing. Authorities in Chaoyang district confirmed the casualties but did not identify the building or pilot initially. Flight tracking service Flightradar24 identified the impact site as the 108-story CITIC Tower. Social media posts about the incident were removed from China's internet, though footage circulated abroad. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, with strict airspace controls in place. The injured are receiving treatment; it is unclear if they were in the building or hit by debris.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Light Aircraft Crashes into Beijing Skyscraper, Pilot Killed and 13 Injured
On June 27, 2026, a small plane crashed into Beijing's tallest skyscraper, the Citic Tower (China Zun), in the Chaoyang district. The incident occurred at approximately 5:55 PM local time, one day after the crash. Authorities confirmed the accident, stating that the single-engine two-seater Sunward SA 60L Aurora aircraft was piloted by a person who died in the crash. Thirteen others on the ground were injured. The aircraft had taken off from an airfield east of Beijing and flew into the city center, which is a strict no-fly zone. State media initially remained silent, and social media posts about the event were censored. Investigations are underway, and security authorities have tightened regulations on drones in the city. The crash site is near CCTV headquarters, the Forbidden City, and the Zhongnanhai government complex.
taz.de - taz.dePlane Crashes Into Beijing Skyscraper: One Dead, 13 Injured
On June 26, 2026, a single-engine light aircraft crashed into Beijing's tallest skyscraper, the Citic Tower (China Zun), at approximately 5:55 PM local time. Authorities in Chaoyang district confirmed the incident nearly a day later, stating the pilot died and 13 others were injured. The aircraft, a Chinese-made Sunward SA 60L Aurora with registration B-12PP, took off from an airfield in eastern Beijing. The crash occurred in a restricted no-fly zone near state television headquarters and government complexes. Social media posts showing the crash were censored in China, while state media delayed reporting. The cause of the crash and the pilot's identity remain under investigation, with heightened surveillance of drones in the city following the incident.
taz.de - taz.deSmall Aircraft Crashes into Beijing's Citic Tower; Cover-Up Alleged
On June 26, 2026, a Sunward SA 60L Aurora small aircraft crashed into the 528-meter-tall Citic Tower (China Zun), Beijing's tallest building. Flight tracking data showed the plane flew from an airport 50 km east of Beijing. Photos revealed a large hole in the facade and falling wreckage. Chinese authorities issued no official statement, while social media posts about the incident were rapidly deleted. Eyewitnesses reported evacuation, debris, and firefighting by multiple fire trucks. Armed police blocked surrounding streets, and journalists were ordered not to take photos and to leave the area. The circumstances of the crash and possible casualties remain unclear. The incident is notable due to Beijing's strict airspace regulations and recent drone bans.
Nachrichten - WELTSmall Plane Strikes Beijing's Tallest Skyscraper, Triggering Emergency Response
A small aircraft reportedly crashed into Beijing's tallest skyscraper, the 108-story Citic Tower, on Friday night, prompting an emergency response in the Chinese capital's central business district. Two witnesses confirmed the incident to Reuters, and social media images and videos show debris from the plane and broken windows falling from the building. The article, sourced from The Hill, is a breaking news report with limited details on casualties or cause.
Just In NewsSmall Plane Crashes into Beijing's Tallest Skyscraper
On Friday afternoon, June 26, 2026, a small plane reportedly crashed into the CITIC Tower (China Zun), the tallest building in Beijing, at approximately 5:40 p.m. local time. The aircraft, identified as a Chinese-made Sunward SA 60L Aurora light plane, took off from Shifosi Airport shortly before the incident. Social media videos and photos verified by the New York Times show debris falling from the skyscraper, broken windows, and what appears to be the plane's tail. A large police presence was reported, with road closures, fire trucks, and an ambulance at the scene. An eyewitness reported seeing a woman with a head injury being taken away. The 109-story, 528-meter tall building houses offices, apartments, and a hotel. Notably, Beijing has a strictly enforced flight ban, and the incident raises questions about how the aircraft was able to fly in restricted airspace.
taz.de - taz.deSmall Plane Crashes into Beijing's Tallest Skyscraper, CITIC Tower
On Friday afternoon, June 26, 2026, a small plane reportedly crashed into the CITIC Tower (China Zun), Beijing's tallest building. The incident occurred around 6 PM local time, according to eyewitnesses. US media outlets including CNN and the New York Times reported a large police presence, road closures, and evacuations. Social media videos verified by the New York Times showed debris falling, broken windows, and what appeared to be the tail of a small plane. The aircraft is believed to be a domestically produced Sunward SA 60L Aurora light aircraft, belonging to a local private aviation company. A woman with a head injury was reportedly taken away in an ambulance. The 109-story CITIC Tower is the headquarters of the Citic Group, a major state-owned financial conglomerate, located in Beijing's central business district.
taz.de - taz.dePlane Crashes Into Beijing's Tallest Building, Citic Tower
On June 26, 2026, a small Sunward SA 60L Aurora aircraft crashed into Beijing's Citic Tower (China Zun), the city's tallest skyscraper. Dramatic video shared on social media showed debris plummeting dozens of stories, with pedestrians fleeing falling glass and rubble. The plane, owned by a local aviation company, deviated significantly from its planned flight path according to unverified Flightradar24 data. The extent of casualties is unclear. The incident highlights the paradox of Beijing's notoriously strict airspace security, which typically prohibits private pilots from flying into the city without explicit state approval and forces commercial flights on long detours. The 109-story building is the headquarters of state-owned Citic Group.
Forbes - BusinessSmall aircraft crashes into Beijing's tallest building, eyewitnesses say
A small aircraft has reportedly crashed into Beijing's tallest building, the CITIC Tower (also known as China Zun), a 108-storey skyscraper in the city's central business district. Eyewitnesses reported the incident on June 26, 2026. The crash prompted a heavy police presence at the scene, with some approach roads closed to traffic. Authorities prevented some individuals from taking photographs. The article, published by The Business Times in Singapore, provides initial details based on eyewitness accounts and Reuters photographs, but does not specify casualties or the cause of the crash.
The Business TimesSmall Aircraft Crashes into Beijing's Tallest Building, CITIC Tower
On June 26, 2026, a small aircraft approximately the size of a car crashed into CITIC Tower (also known as China Zun), Beijing's tallest building at 108 stories. Two glass panels on a high floor were damaged. Eyewitnesses reported a loud noise like fireworks, and one courier saw the aircraft sticking out of the building but deleted his video out of fear of police. Police sealed off roads, prevented filming, and ordered people to delete photos. Social media posts were rapidly removed from platforms like Xiaohongshu. No official comment was immediately available from Beijing's municipal government or the CITIC Group. The article notes the building is the headquarters of the state-owned CITIC Group and is located in Beijing's central business district.
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