FACTBOX: Small aircraft crashes in Beijing over the past 20 years

An aircraft about the size of a car flew into the tallest building in Beijing on Friday, said witnesses who saw the rare crash in China's capital, where airspace is heavily controlled.

Beijing Newsroom

27 June 2026 at 11:21:51

FACTBOX: Small aircraft crashes in Beijing over the past 20 years

People point their mobile phones at CITIC Tower, also known as China Zun, where damage is visible on a high floor of the exterior, in Beijing, China June 26, 2026.

Maxim Shemetov/Reuters

BEIJING - An aircraft about the size of a car flew into the tallest building in Beijing on Friday, said witnesses who saw the rare crash in China's capital, where airspace is heavily controlled.

Below is a list of some crashes involving small aircraft or helicopters in Beijing over the past 20 years, based on aviation authority and Chinese state media reports.

July 6, 2022 - a tourist helicopter crashed during a flight between Beijing's Changping and Fangshan districts, killing two pilots on board.

July 30, 2018 - a civil helicopter crashed into a parking lot in a village in Beijing's Chaoyang district due to pilot error, injuring four people on board.

June 6, 2015 - Two people were killed after a small training helicopter crashed into Miyun Reservoir.

April 10, 2014 - A small training aircraft crashed into a river near Miyun Reservoir in Beijing, killing one pilot and injuring the other.

August 17, 2011 - A police helicopter crashed into Miyun Reservoir while returning from a search-and-rescue drill, killing four of the five crew members.

July 12, 2008 - A helicopter crashed and caught fire in the remote Pinggu district after hitting a high-voltage power line while pesticide spraying, killing the pilot.

=Reporting by Beijing Newsroom; Editing by Alexander Smith/Reuters