Pilot's personal motives confirmed in Beijing Aurora SA60L crash into CITIC Tower
Chinese officials said a light aircraft that crashed into a high-rise building in Beijing was caused by the pilot's "personal reasons" and that he wrote before the crash of ending his life. The aircraft struck a high-rise building in Beijing's Chaoyang district at about 17:55 local time on June 26, 2026, killing the pilot, the sole occupant aboard the aircraft, and injuring 13 people on the ground, according to official statements. The single-engine, two-seat light sport aircraft was identified as an Aurora SA60L. Authorities imposed a nationwide light-aircraft flight ban after the crash. The building was the CITIC Tower, also known as China Zun, Beijing's tallest skyscraper. Beijing officials identified the pilot only by his surname, Liu, and said he was a 66-year-old Beijing resident who lived alone. Officials said Liu had suffered long-term insomnia and anxiety, and that his diary contained repeated references to suicide. The district said the 13 injured people were not in life-threatening condition after treatment. Videos circulating after the crash showed debris falling near the tower after the aircraft struck the building.