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🇰🇷 South Korea /Disasters & Emergencies

Small plane crashes into Beijing's CITIC Tower, killing pilot and injuring 13

From Hankyoreh · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • A small aircraft crashed into Beijing's 108-story CITIC Tower on June 26, killing the pilot and injuring 13 people.
  • Chinese authorities confirmed the incident occurred around 5:55 p.m. local time, with the single-engine, two-seater light sport aircraft colliding with the building's exterior.
  • The pilot was the sole occupant of the aircraft, which had taken off from an airport about 50 kilometers east of Beijing.

A small aircraft crashed into Beijing's tallest building, the 108-story CITIC Tower, on June 26, resulting in the pilot's death and injuries to 13 others. Chinese authorities confirmed the incident occurred around 5:55 p.m. local time.

On June 26, a single-engine, two-seater light sport aircraft flying near East Third Ring Road collided with a high-rise building.

— Beijing Chaoyang District AuthoritiesOfficial confirmation of the incident.

The single-engine, two-seater light sport aircraft collided with the building's exterior while flying near East Third Ring Road. The pilot, who was the only person on board, died at the scene. Authorities stated that 13 people on the ground were injured and are receiving treatment.

The pilot was the only person on board, and the pilot died at the scene.

— Beijing Chaoyang District AuthoritiesOfficial confirmation of the pilot's death.

Details emerged a day after the crash, with videos circulating online showing debris falling from the upper floors of the CITIC Tower and the rear window of a taxi shattering. Images also showed a detached tail section of the aircraft, marked 'B-12', lying on the ground.

Thirteen people were injured at the scene, and efforts are currently focused on treating the injured.

— Beijing Chaoyang District AuthoritiesOfficial confirmation of injuries to people on the ground.

The aircraft, identified as a Sunward SA 60L Aurora, had departed from an airport approximately 50 kilometers east of Beijing and was flying westward when it struck the tower's facade. The CITIC Tower, located in Beijing's business district, stands at 528 meters and is the city's highest structure.

The relevant situation is under further investigation by the competent authorities.

— Beijing Chaoyang District AuthoritiesOfficial statement on the ongoing investigation.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hankyoreh in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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