Light Aircraft Strikes Beijing’s Tallest Skyscraper, No Injuries Reported

A light aircraft crashed into CITIC Tower, Beijing’s tallest skyscraper, on Friday, causing debris and tail sections to fall from the 109th floor into the street below. Chinese authorities said no one was injured in the incident, which happened in the heart of the capital’s central business district.

Social media videos showed pieces breaking off the building, known as China Zun, and witnesses said a glass panel was missing from one of the upper floors. On the ground, part of the aircraft’s tail and a shattered taxi windshield were found among the debris. The tower is one of the most recognizable landmarks on Beijing’s skyline.

Security forces evacuated the building and large rescue teams were sent to the scene. A CNN reporter said police blocked roads leading to the tower and prevented bystanders from filming the site. Chinese police also kept civilians away from the area. The article says the crash occurred in an otherwise highly secured city.

The aircraft was identified through registration data as a locally built Sunward SA 60L Aurora sports plane belonging to a local aviation company. Data from Flightradar24 showed it had flown on a route that deviated sharply from its planned path. The incident has raised questions in China because strict rules banning drone flights without government approval have been in force in Beijing since May 1. Authorities are still investigating how the aircraft entered the capital’s protected airspace and struck the building, and have not yet released further details.