Overview
- A small two-seat aircraft struck the upper section of the 109‑storey CITIC Tower on Friday, leaving a damaged facade, falling debris and an immediate evacuation of the building.
- Flight‑tracking posts and multiple outlets identified the plane as a Sunward SA60L Aurora with registration traces pointing to a local general‑aviation operator and showing a significantly deviated flight path before the impact.
- Emergency crews and police sealed roads around the Guomao business district and worked at the scene while witnesses posted videos that were soon removed from Chinese social platforms.
- There is no official casualty or pilot information yet and reports of injuries on the ground remain unverified as investigators and aviation authorities begin inquiries.
- The incident raises questions about airspace permissions and oversight in Beijing, where strict flight controls and a recent drone ban restrict general aviation near the city center.