On June 26, 2026, a Sunward SA 60L Aurora light sport aircraft, identified as B-12PP, struck the upper floors of the CITIC Tower in Beijing. The 528-meter structure, commonly known as China Zun, sits in the center of the city’s primary business district.
Reports suggest the aircraft may have departed from Beijing Shifosi Airport, though officials have yet to confirm the flight origin or operator. The incident has drawn significant attention due to the highly restricted nature of Beijing’s airspace. Civil and military authorities enforce rigorous approval processes for all aircraft operating near the capital, making unauthorized entry into the central business district a major regulatory anomaly.
The SA 60L is a Chinese-manufactured aircraft often utilized for flight training and general aviation purposes. As of this report, authorities have not released details regarding the flight path, the number of individuals on board, or potential injuries. The crash raises pressing questions for aviation operators regarding the oversight of light sport aircraft in dense urban environments where flight permissions are essential and strictly monitored.