Pilot Killed, 13 Injured After Small Plane Hits Beijing Skyscraper

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Pilot killed, 13 injured as small plane crashes into Beijing skyscraper

On June 26, 2026, crowds gathered near Beijing’s tallest building, the CITIC Tower, after an eyewitness reported debris from a crashed aircraft at its base. Video captured from a nearby building showed fire engines spraying water on smoke rising from the 528‑metre (1,732‑foot) tower, while the wreckage of a small plane lay beside the structure. (Photo by Adek BERRY / AFP)

Chinese authorities announced on Saturday that a single‑engine, two‑seat light aircraft had struck the CITIC Tower, killing its pilot and injuring 13 others, but they did not disclose the cause of the uncommon event.

Witnesses of the Friday incident noted aircraft debris at the base of the 528‑metre (1,732‑foot) CITIC Tower, and AFP reporters observed a hole in the windows of one of the building’s upper floors.

Officials in Beijing’s Chaoyang District released a statement via WeChat, stating that the single‑engine, two‑seat light aircraft crashed into a high‑rise building at 5:55 pm (0955 GMT) on Friday.

The statement added: “The only person on board was the pilot, who died, and 13 people were injured at the scene,” marking the first official comment on the incident.

Authorities also said they were “conducting further investigation