Light Plane Hits Beijing's Tallest Skyscraper, Killing Pilot and Injuring 13

A small light aircraft struck the upper floors of the CITIC Tower — Beijing's tallest skyscraper — on Friday evening, killing the pilot and injuring at least 13 people. The impact occurred around 6 p.m. local time in the Chaoyang district, shattering glass panels on the 108th and 109th floors and sending large fragments of debris onto the streets below, according to CNN and Reuters.

Emergency Response and Damage

Emergency crews, including firefighters, police and medical personnel, quickly sealed off the area as the building was evacuated. Aircraft components — including a tail section and fuselage fragments — were scattered across the street, where a taxi was reportedly struck by falling debris. Firefighters extinguished small fires on the ground while roads surrounding the tower remained closed during the recovery operation.

Investigation and Airspace Security

The aircraft has been identified as a domestically produced Sunward 60 Aurora light sport aircraft. Unverified flight-tracking data cited by media outlets indicates the plane deviated sharply from its flight path shortly after departing Beijing Shifosi Airport. Chinese authorities are investigating the cause of the crash, which has raised significant questions about airspace security and the monitoring of general aviation flights within the capital's heavily controlled airspace.