Pilot dead, 13 others injured as small plane crashes into Beijing’s tallest skyscraper

A pilot was killed and 13 other people have been injured after a small aircraft crashed into Beijing’s tallest building on Friday, Chinese authorities said on Saturday.

Officials did not immediately disclose the cause of the rare incident.

Witnesses reported seeing aircraft debris scattered at the base of the 528-metre (1,732-foot) CITIC Tower following the crash.

Journalists from AFP who visited the scene observed a hole in the windows of one of the skyscraper’s upper floors, indicating the point of impact.

Authorities in the capital’s Chaoyang District said in a statement shared on WeChat that “a single-engine, two-seat light aircraft crashed into a high-rise building” at 5:55 pm (0955 GMT) on Friday.

“The only person on board was the pilot, who died, and 13 people were injured at the scene,” said the statement, the first official comment about the incident.

It said authorities were “conducting further investigation into the incident”.

Video footage taken by a witness from a nearby building showed fire trucks blasting water at small flames on the ground, as well as what appeared to be part of the plane beside the building.

Police and ambulances swarmed the area, with officers blocking people from taking photos.

The CITIC Tower, which has 108 floors above ground and seven below, is able to accommodate 12,000 office workers.

China imposes strict restrictions over its airspace, particularly around Beijing’s urban area, citing public security.

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