A small plane slammed into the tallest skyscraper in China’s capital. Hours later, it was like nothing had happened.

A small plane crashed into Beijing's tallest skyscraper, the CITIC Tower, on Friday afternoon, killing the pilot and injuring 13 people. The impact sent glass and debris falling to the streets below, causing panic in the heavily secured city. However, within hours, the incident and related footage were scrubbed from Chinese social media, and state media, including CCTV headquartered nearby, made no initial mention of the event. This swift censorship highlights China's tight control over information, particularly concerning events that could attract negative attention. The government only acknowledged the incident on Saturday afternoon, reporting that a "single-engine double-seat light sports aircraft collided with a high-rise building in flight," resulting in the pilot's death and 13 injuries. The investigation is ongoing, and it remains unclear whether the crash was accidental or intentional. The incident has sparked significant questions about how the pilot managed to fly over China's fortified capital, a city where even drone operation is heavily restricted. The CITIC Tower, also known as China Zun, stands at 528 meters and dominates the skyline. The area is a prime business district hosting major companies and is located near numerous foreign embassies and international financial institutions. Footage shared online before censorship showed the small plane impacting the upper levels of the building, identified as a domestically manufactured Sunward SA 60L Aurora, a light sport aircraft used for pilot training and recreational flights. The security implications of the breach in Beijing's heavily controlled airspace are a major concern.