A small aircraft hit the CITIC Building, known as China Zun, in the Chaoyang financial district of Beijing this Friday. The incident led to the preventive evacuation of the building and mobilized emergency teams, police and firefighters in the area.
The China Zun is one of the best-known architectural landmarks in the Chinese capital. Standing 528 meters tall with 108 floors, the tower stands out on Beijing’s skyline and houses offices in one of the city’s busiest business districts.
According to local reports, the pilot, identified as Liu Junhua, was conducting a solo flight in the region’s airspace. The aircraft reportedly took off from Shifosi Airport at around 5:30 p.m. and, about ten minutes later, was preparing to return for landing.
Still according to these preliminary reports, while joining the route west of Runway 18, the plane allegedly failed to properly enter the approach, deviating from the planned airspace before heading toward central Beijing and hitting the CITIC tower.
Images shared on social media show fragments of the aircraft falling from a high altitude, as well as visible damage to the building’s glass facade. Emergency vehicles and the closure of nearby roads around the skyscraper can also be seen.
The cause of the incident is still under investigation. So far, there is no conclusive official version on what caused the aircraft to leave its planned route. Preliminary information indicates that only the pilot was on board, but authorities have not yet released an official report on people possibly affected or injured.
China Zun was named after its shape, inspired by an ancient Chinese ritual vessel called a “zun.” The design, wider at the base and at the top, has made the building a visual landmark in Beijing since its inauguration.
Investigations should determine whether a technical failure, navigation error, operational problem or another factor contributed to the aircraft’s deviation.
🇨🇳 A plane crashed into Beijing's tallest skyscraper
Debris fell near the eastern entrance of the China Zun Tower.
The China Zun skyscraper is in the top 10 tallest buildings in the world. The height of the tower is 528 meters. pic.twitter.com/Tt8hmDkc3V
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) June 26, 2026
Source and images: Aviation Safety Network | X @visegrad24. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
