Lead
A small aircraft crashed into Beijing's tallest skyscraper, CITIC Tower, on Friday, June 26, 2026, according to multiple reports. The pilot, the only person aboard, was killed, and 13 others were injured, authorities confirmed the following day. The crash triggered evacuations and scattered debris across the Chinese capital's central business district, and prompted a heavy police presence around the building.
Coverage Comparison
Eyewitness accounts to Reuters, as reported by ABC Australia and the Jerusalem Post, described the aircraft as roughly the size of a car. The building, also known as China Zun, is a 108-storey skyscraper that serves as the headquarters of the state-owned conglomerate CITIC Group. Police closed off roads around the building and stopped passersby from filming the scene, according to ABC Australia and the Jerusalem Post. Two glass panels on a high floor were damaged, as reported by ABC Australia, the Jerusalem Post, and The Hindu.
The BBC reported that eyewitnesses told Reuters about the crash and that firefighters were seen extinguishing a fire in the tower. The South China Morning Post provided additional details, reporting that a light sport aircraft hit the tower, triggering evacuations, and that videos posted to social media showed the aircraft striking the upper floors. The South China Morning Post's reporting also included eyewitness accounts from a woman surnamed Lin, who was evacuated from the building at 6pm, and a bystander who heard a loud noise at around 5.40pm.
The Hindu reported that a small plane crashed into the building, killing the pilot and injuring 13 others, and identified the aircraft as a Sunward SA 60L Aurora. The Hindu also reported that the plane took off from an airport about 50 kilometres east of Beijing and was operated by Shuangyue General Aviation.
Key Claims
- The crash: A light sport aircraft hit Beijing's tallest skyscraper, Citic Tower, on Friday, June 26, 2026, according to multiple reports.
- Casualties: The pilot, the only person on the craft, was killed, and 13 people were injured. This was confirmed by the Chaoyang district government in a statement on Saturday, as reported by the South China Morning Post and The Hindu.
- Aftermath: The crash triggered evacuations, scattered debris across the central business district, and caused damage to two glass panels on a high floor, as reported by the South China Morning Post and ABC Australia.
- Eyewitness accounts: A courier told Reuters he heard a loud crash, which he described as "louder than fireworks," and saw the aircraft sticking out of the building. Another courier saw social media images of wreckage. A woman surnamed Lin told the South China Morning Post she ran out of the building without her ID or bag after being evacuated at 6pm.
- Aircraft details: The Hindu reported the aircraft was a Sunward SA 60L Aurora, which took off from an airport about 50 kilometres east of Beijing and was operated by Shuangyue General Aviation.
- Investigation: The Chaoyang district government said the circumstances surrounding the crash were still under investigation, as reported by the South China Morning Post and The Hindu.