A small aircraft collided with the tallest building in Beijing on Friday, according to confirmation from the international flight tracking service Flightradar24. The incident occurred following witness reports and subsequent evacuations within the city’s primary business district.
Flightradar24 shared the trajectory of the aircraft, identified as a Sunward SA 60L Aurora, which had departed from an airport located approximately 50 kilometers (30 miles) east of Beijing. The flight path moved westward, concluding just to the east of the East Third Ring Road shortly before 6 p.m. local time. The tracking provider specified that the aircraft struck the CITIC Tower, also referred to as China Zun. The skyscraper, which stands over 1,700 feet (528 meters) tall, is situated within a dense collection of high-rises just east of a major ring road.
The CITIC Tower, a 108-story structure designed to resemble a traditional Chinese wine vessel, ranks among the most recognizable architectural landmarks in Beijing. The cause of the collision remains unknown, particularly in a city subject to stringent airspace restrictions, which recently included a prohibition on drones. Information regarding the pilot has not been released, and there were no immediate details concerning potential casualties on the ground.
Chinese officials have not issued an official statement, and the incident has not been covered by state media. While social media discussions surrounding the crash have been removed from the domestic internet, footage has surfaced on international platforms such as X.com. Images and videos circulating online appear to depict aircraft debris near the tower. Although these visuals align with the location, their authenticity could not be independently verified. One photograph of the wreckage displays a partial registration mark of “B-12,” corresponding to the aircraft’s full registration number, B-12PP.
Associated Press photography indicates what appears to be a breach in the glass exterior on one side of the CITIC Tower. A person employed within the building reported that a plane struck the skyscraper, which subsequently triggered fire alarms. The individual requested anonymity due to concerns about potential repercussions, as incidents involving such crashes are treated as highly sensitive by Chinese authorities.
A significant mobilization of police, fire services, and ambulances was observed at the scene. While bystanders gathered to observe or document the event, law enforcement directed them to stop taking photos and vacate the premises. Just last month, Beijing authorities introduced new regulations on the city’s strictly controlled airspace, which effectively banned the sale and operation of consumer drones within the capital.
