Chinese authorities reported on Saturday that a pilot died and 13 people were injured when a small plane crashed into a high-rise building in Beijing the previous evening. The incident occurred at approximately 5:55 p.m. Friday in the Chaoyang district, a busy commercial area.
The aircraft, identified as a two-seat light sport aircraft, collided with the CITIC Tower, also known as China Zun. This skyscraper, standing over 1,700 feet tall, is one of Beijing's most recognizable landmarks and the city's tallest building. The statement from district authorities did not identify the pilot or the specific building.
The plane's flight path, tracked by Flightradar24, showed it took off from an airport east of Beijing and headed westward, ending its flight just east of the East Third Ring Road. The aircraft was identified as a Sunward SA 60L Aurora, operated by Shuangyue General Aviation. This model of single-engine aircraft reportedly accounts for a significant portion of China's light sports aircraft market.
It remains unclear what caused the crash, particularly in a city known for its stringent airspace controls, which include a recent ban on drones. An investigation into the incident is underway. The injured individuals were receiving treatment, though it was not specified if they were inside the building or struck by debris. Social media posts related to the crash were reportedly removed from China's internet on Friday, a common practice for authorities when dealing with sensitive incidents. Images circulating outside of China's firewall appeared to show aircraft debris near the skyscraper, with one partial registration number visible suggesting the aircraft was B-12PP.
Photographs taken on Saturday showed apparent damage to the glass facade on one side of the CITIC Tower, with a visible hole that had since been covered up.