A domestically manufactured Chinese aircraft reportedly crashed into the CITIC Tower, also known as China Zun, the tallest building in Beijing, on Friday. According to reports, the impact shattered two windows of the 109-storey skyscraper, while videos circulating on social media showed debris falling from the building.
The authenticity of the viral videos has not been independently verified by CNN-News18.
Building evacuated after impact
Footage shared online showed fragments of the aircraft falling from the nearly 1700-foot-tall tower. Thick smoke was also seen rising from the ground level, where pieces of wreckage were reportedly scattered.
今天下午，一架型号为 B-12PP 的国产轻型通航小飞机，撞到了北京第一高楼 – 中国尊 pic.twitter.com/CobNs6fSBA
— Sea (@Sea_Bitcoin) June 26, 2026
Authorities evacuated the building following the incident. The number of casualties, if any, has not yet been confirmed.
Located in Beijing’s Chaoyang District, the CITIC Tower is the tallest building in the capital and the third-tallest skyscraper in China after the Shanghai Tower and Ping An Finance Centre.
Aircraft lost contact before crash
Reports identified the aircraft as a Sunward SA 60L Aurora (B-12PP), one of China’s most successful domestically produced light aircraft. Images from the scene showed one of the aircraft’s wings lying beside the building, while another photograph appeared to show visible damage to the tower’s exterior.
According to reports, the pilot was flying alone and had taken off from Shifosi Airport around 30 minutes before the incident. The aircraft was expected to return for landing at approximately 5:40 pm but reportedly deviated from its planned flight path.
Flight tracking data showed the aircraft until it lost signal near Beijing’s East Fifth Ring Road. After that, communication with the plane was lost.
Police seal off area
According to Reuters, security around the skyscraper was tightened soon after the incident. Police officers reportedly prevented people from taking photographs of the building and blocked several roads around the CITIC Tower while emergency teams responded to the scene.
The exact cause of the incident has not yet been determined, and authorities have launched an investigation.
First published on: Jun 26, 2026 08:40 PM IST
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