On the afternoon of Friday, June 26, 2026, a small aircraft collided with the CITIC Tower—also known as China Zun—the tallest building in Beijing, marking a rare and shocking event in one of the world’s most heavily secured cities.

Dramatic footage circulating on social media captured debris falling from the 109-story skyscraper, alongside the plane’s tail and a shattered taxi window on the street below. A CNN journalist on the scene reported seeing evacuated occupants gathering near the building’s entrance, while emergency responders including firefighters, police, and paramedics mobilized quickly.

Preliminary online investigations suggest the aircraft was a domestically manufactured Sunward SA 60L Aurora, a light sport plane owned by a local general aviation company. Flight data shared on Flightradar24, though unverified, indicated an unusual and erratic flight path prior to the crash.

Since May 1, Beijing has enforced strict drone regulations, banning residents from purchasing, renting, or flying drones without government authorization within the city’s jurisdiction. While unrelated to this incident, these measures highlight the city’s heightened focus on aerial security.

Authorities and the plane’s owner have yet to release official statements, and CNN continues to follow the story closely. This developing situation underscores the challenges and risks of urban airspace management in megacities, and the importance of coordinated emergency response systems.

We will update this report as more information becomes available.