Small plane crashes into Beijing's tallest building, triggers emergency evacuation

Visuas on social media appeared to show debris falling from Beijing's tallest skyscraper after the aircraft collision.

In Short

• Videos showed wreckage falling into nearby areas
• Employees fled hurriedly, leaving behind their belongings
• Police sealed surrounding roads as ambulances rushed to scene

A small aircraft crashed into Beijing’s tallest skyscraper, the 528-metre CITIC Tower, in the Chinese capital’s Central Business District on Friday afternoon, prompting a major emergency response and evacuation of the building.

Images and videos circulating on social media appeared to show debris falling from the 109-storey skyscraper, also known as China Zun, along with what looked like a damaged section of the aircraft and broken glass on one side of the tower. Footage also showed police vehicles, fire engines and ambulances deployed outside the building.

The incident has not been officially confirmed by Chinese authorities. Several images and videos were quickly removed from Chinese social media platforms, and their authenticity could not be independently verified.

According to reports, a small airplane may have struck the skyscraper, leaving visible damage to the building's exterior. Witnesses reported seeing occupants being evacuated from the tower and gathering on nearby streets as emergency services secured the area.

Preliminary information circulating online suggested the aircraft may have been a domestically manufactured Sunward SA60L Aurora light sport aircraft operated by a local general aviation company that provides pilot training, recreational flights and aerial photography services.

62617:55SA60L “” “”
B-12PP pic.twitter.com/A7geB6zfpy

— (@Takemikazuchi26) June 26, 2026

Unverified flight-tracking data shared online appeared to indicate that the aircraft deviated significantly from its intended flight path after taking off from Beijing's Shifosi Airport.

Authorities have yet to disclose the cause of the incident or confirm whether there were any casualties. Calls seeking comment from local police and government officials reportedly did not yield immediate responses.

The incident is particularly notable given Beijing's tightly controlled airspace and stringent restrictions on low-altitude aviation activities. Since May, the Chinese capital has enforced sweeping regulations that effectively prohibit the operation of drones without government approval.

An official investigation is expected once authorities release details of the incident.

- Ends