China: Light sport aircraft crashes into Beijing's tallest Citic Tower

A light sport aircraft crash into Beijing’s tallest Citic Tower triggered evacuations and emergency response on Friday, with details on casualties and cause not yet released. Officials reported that wreckage scattered around the surrounding business district after the aircraft struck the upper levels of the 528-metre tower. Media and social footage showed debris falling onto nearby walkways and landscaped areas, while people exited during evacuation measures. Police blocked roads around the tower, cleared crowds, and deployed a large security presence; ambulances were positioned near the scene. Flight-tracking data from Flightradar24 identified the aircraft as a Sunward SA60L Aurora, a two-seat, single-engine light sport plane operated by Shuangyue General Aviation, with registration number B-12PP. Chinese rules require clearance from both the Civil Aviation Administration of China and the People’s Liberation Army Air Force for light sport aircraft operating in Beijing, and the incident follows recent Beijing restrictions on low-altitude recreation flights and drones.