A dramatic aviation tragedy struck in Beijing on Saturday when a small aircraft that was believed to have crashed into the city's biggest skyscraper, the CITIC Tower (China Zun), in the central city of Beijing after a small plane crash. Video on social media showed debris falling from the building and thick smoke billowing in the air.
According to initial reports, the aircraft struck the 109-storey CITIC Tower in Beijing's central business district at 6 p.m. local time. The skyscraper, which is about 1,700 feet tall, is one of the top buildings in the Chinese capital and one of the most recognisable in the city's skyline.
Witnesses described hearing a loud impact before seeing pieces of the aircraft falling from the structure. Videos appeared to show pieces of wreckage dropping to the ground and smoke rising from the base of the building, where emergency responders quickly arrived.
Preliminary reports suggest that the plane involved was a small B-12PP aircraft. The pilot could have been the only person on the plane at the time of the crash. The plane took off from Shifosi Airport earlier in the evening and was inching towards landing when it changed direction from its planned course for landing. Flight tracking indicators indicated the plane didn't contact the other aircraft until seconds prior to the collision.
今天下午，一架型号为 B-12PP 的国产轻型通航小飞机，撞到了北京第一高楼 - 中国尊 pic.twitter.com/CobNs6fSBA
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Images from the scene showed damage to the skyscraper - shattered windows and a large impact area on the exterior of the building. Emergency crews, firefighters, and law enforcement personnel quickly cordoned off the surrounding area as rescue and assessment operations got underway.
No casualties or injuries are confirmed at this time. The authorities will investigate what caused the plane to veer off course and hit the building, and will go through the aircraft records, communication logs, weather, and mechanical factors so far.
The incident has attracted global attention both in China and abroad, as it is rare for an aircraft to hit a major urban skyscraper. China Zun or CITIC Tower is a huge commercial and office centre in Beijing's Chaoyang District, home to many companies and offices.
As emergency operations are continuing, authorities have advised the public to avoid the area and to keep track of the situation as officials seek official information. The report on the condition of the pilot’s health, the possible casualties, and the extent of the damage will come out when the investigation concludes.
