Suitably Flip

Aircraft Crashes into Manhattan Building

Details very scant: [Scroll for updates]

NEW YORK (AP) -- Police say an aircraft has crashed into a building on Manhattan's Upper East Side at 72nd Street and York Avenue. It is near Rockefeller Center.

There was no word on casualties.

Video from the scene shows at least three apartments in the high rise fully engulfed in flames.

It's unclear if it was a small plane or a helicopter.

The AP is incorrect about the site being anywhere near Rockefeller Center.  It's near Rockefeller University.

More as it emerges.

Hot Air is tracking updates.  Live video at WNBC.

Update: Norad has scrambled fighters over major U.S. cities as a "prudent measure", but the Justice Department has publicly stated there is every indication that this was an accident.

At least one eyewitness reported the plane was performing aerobatic maneuvers, illegal and idiotic at low altitude over Manhattan, but a description also potentially consistent with a stall or single engine failure.

Officials confirm two deaths.  There are reports of additional individuals trapped in floors above the impact site.

Update:  Fox News is reporting that local stations have indicated the plane may have been registered to and piloted by Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle.  The Yankess have referred inquiries to the FAA.  Per Hot Air, reports indicate Lidle's passport was found in the street below the crash site.

Assuming Lidle was the pilot, the tragedy is somewhat eerily reminiscent of the 1979 death of Yankee catcher Thurman Munson.

Airc

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Aircraft Crashes into Manhattan Building

Details very scant: [Scroll for updates]

NEW YORK (AP) -- Police say an aircraft has crashed into a building on Manhattan's Upper East Side at 72nd Street and York Avenue. It is near Rockefeller Center.

There was no word on casualties.

Video from the scene shows at least three apartments in the high rise fully engulfed in flames.

It's unclear if it was a small plane or a helicopter.

The AP is incorrect about the site being anywhere near Rockefeller Center.  It's near Rockefeller University.

More as it emerges.

Hot Air is tracking updates.  Live video at WNBC.

Update: Norad has scrambled fighters over major U.S. cities as a "prudent measure", but the Justice Department has publicly stated there is every indication that this was an accident.

At least one eyewitness reported the plane was performing aerobatic maneuvers, illegal and idiotic at low altitude over Manhattan, but a description also potentially consistent with a stall or single engine failure.

Officials confirm two deaths.  There are reports of additional individuals trapped in floors above the impact site.

Update:  Fox News is reporting that local stations have indicated the plane may have been registered to and piloted by Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle.  The Yankess have referred inquiries to the FAA.  Per Hot Air, reports indicate Lidle's passport was found in the street below the crash site.

Assuming Lidle was the pilot, the tragedy is somewhat eerily reminiscent of the 1979 death of Yankee catcher Thurman Munson.