Pilot Dies in Beijing Skyscraper Crash; 13 Others Injured
WHO:
CNN - The pilot of the small plane was the only person on board and was killed in the crash.
CNN - 13 other people were injured in the incident.
CNN - The CITIC Group and tech giant Alibaba are located in the CITIC Tower.
WHAT:
CNN - The CITIC Tower is 528-meters tall (equivalent to 1,732 feet) and has been Beijing’s tallest building since 2018.
CNN - The aircraft involved was owned by a local general aviation company that offers services like pilot training, personal recreational flights, and aerial photography.
CNN - Unverified flight data from Flightradar24 indicated a severely deviated flight path for the aircraft after it took off from Beijing’s Shifosi airport.
CNN - A small plane crashed into the CITIC Tower in Beijing, killing the pilot and injuring 13 others.
ABC News World - Chinese authorities confirmed the crash and the casualties.
CNN - The crash sent shards of glass and aircraft debris plummeting hundreds of feet down to the streets below.
CNN - The incident is under investigation by authorities.
WHERE:
CNN - Roads near the CITIC Tower were closed, and police were present around the site, allowing only people who could prove they work in the area to enter.
CNN - The crash occurred at the CITIC Tower, the tallest skyscraper in Beijing.
CNN - The CITIC Tower is located in a prime area frequented by foreigners and diplomats, near various embassies and financial institutions.
WHEN:
CNN - The crash happened on a Friday afternoon during rush hour.
CNN - Local media reported the incident on Saturday afternoon local time.
WHY:
CNN - The incident raised concerns about how the pilot managed to fly over Beijing, where most of the Communist Party elite live, and where flying drones is effectively banned.
CNN - It remains unknown whether the crash was accidental or intentional.
CNN - The incident raised questions about how the pilot managed to fly over Beijing, where flying drones is effectively banned.
HOW:
CNN - Beijing enacted a sweeping regulation last month to effectively ban casual recreational flying and consumer drones.
CNN - The aircraft involved was identified as a domestically manufactured light sport aircraft, a Sunward SA 60L Aurora.
CNN - Flying any light aircraft in Beijing requires approval from both the Civil Aviation Administration of China and the People’s Liberation Army Air Force.
(UPDATED June 27, 2026 13:21 UTC)
A local general aviation aircraft, owned by a company that provides services like pilot training and aerial photography, took off from Beijing’s Shifosi airport and deviated significantly from its flight path, raising concerns about pilot management in a city where flying drones is largely prohibited. Roads near the CITIC Tower, which stands at 528 meters tall and has been Beijing’s tallest building since 2018, were closed off as police restricted access to only those who could prove they work in the area. This incident follows a recent regulation enacted in Beijing to effectively ban casual recreational flying and consumer drones, highlighting the heightened scrutiny around airspace in the capital.
--
(UPDATED June 27, 2026 11:23 UTC)
A small plane crashed into the CITIC Tower in Beijing, resulting in the tragic death of the pilot and injuries to 13 others. The aircraft, identified as a domestically manufactured light sport model, sent debris and shards of glass plummeting hundreds of feet to the streets below, prompting an investigation by local authorities. Questions remain about the circumstances of the crash, particularly how the pilot was able to fly in an area where flying drones is effectively banned.