An aircraft about the size of a car crashed into Beijing's tallest building, CITIC Tower, two bystanders said, as police closed off roads around the skyscraper and stopped passersby from filming the scene.

A pilot was killed when his small aircraft crashed into Beijing's tallest building, with 13 people also injured, Chinese authorities have said.

A light aircraft crashed into Beijing's CITIC Tower, killing the pilot and injuring 13 people. The rare incident has triggered an investigation and fresh scrutiny of the capital's tight airspace controls.

"The only person on board was the pilot, who died, and 13 people were injured at the scene," said Beijing authorities.

"The only person on board was the pilot, who died, and 13 people were injured at the scene," said Beijing authorities.

Chinese authorities say a small plane that crashed into a building in Beijing killed the pilot and injured 13 people.

Small aircraft struck Beijing's CITIC Tower, causing panic; debris fell as emergency responders evacuated people. Investigation into the incident is ongoing.

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