(BEIJING) — A small aircraft crashed into Beijing’s tallest skyscraper Friday before falling down in front of the building, according to eyewitnesses who spoke with Reuters and the Associated Press and videos posted online and verified by ABC News.
Videos taken by people near the Citic Tower appeared to show the plane striking a high floor before it spun downward and crashed to the ground in front of the tower’s entrance.
Photos showed what appeared to be a hole or broken glass on one side of the building.
Videos, images and search results about the crash are actively being scrubbed from the Chinese internet.
Chinese authorities confirmed the plane crash on Saturday. A short WeChat statement was issued by the local Chaoyang District government, saying that only the pilot was on board the aircraft and was the killed in the collision.
Authorities in their post did not identify the pilot nor a potential motive. In addition, 13 individuals were injured in the building and on the ground, officials said.
The 109-story tower, which opened in 2019, is the tallest building in Beijing and the 10th tallest building in the world, standing 1,732 feet tall. It is a mixed-use building with offices, luxury apartments and hotel rooms.
Copyright © 2026, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
