Overview
- A small, domestically made light aircraft hit the upper floors of the 109‑story CITIC Tower on Friday, June 26, causing visible exterior damage and debris to fall to the streets below.
- Videos and photos circulating online showed broken glass panels, falling wreckage and a section of the plane on the ground while occupants of the building were evacuated and roads were closed.
- Open-source tracking and registration traces identify the aircraft as a Sunward SA60L with registration B-12PP linked to a local general aviation operator, and flight‑tracking posts show an unusual, deviated path before the impact.
- Police at the scene reportedly told bystanders to stop filming and to delete footage and Chinese social platforms rapidly removed posts about the crash, while state media had not issued confirmations.
- Authorities have not confirmed casualties, the pilot’s identity, or a cause and emergency services continue on site as a formal investigation is expected; the strike raises questions about access to Beijing’s restricted airspace.