KOAJaps
10-11-2006, 02:14 PM
Small aircraft crashes into New York buildingl (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2006/10/11/unyplane.xm)
(Filed: 11/10/2006)
A small aircraft has crashed into a building on Manhattan's Upper East Side, but a US official said there was no reason to believe it was terrorism-related.
The small general aviation plane truck struck the 20th floor of a building on East 72nd St and York Avenue, near the East River, CNN reported, quoting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Witnesses said flames could be seen shooting from windows on two upper floors of The Belaire, a 50-story tower close to the East River.
Sandy Teller, who lives a block away, said: "It's a mob scene with police and helicopters circling.
"There's a dozen ambulances and lots of firemen waiting on 72nd, on the corner. There's lots of stretchers ready, gurneys. And lots of emergency people waiting."
Burning debris fell on the streets below as firefighters aimed water at the flames from lower floors.
There was no immediate word on any deaths or injuries and a US official told Reuters there were no grounds to believe that the crash was an act of terrorism.
"I have no reason to believe at this point that the crash in New York City is terrorism-related," the official, who declined to be identified, said.
The FAA said it was unclear whether the aircraft was a plane or a helicopter, and said all three airports in the New York City area are operating normally.
The images of fire and smoke pouring out of the windows of a high rise building evoked images of the 9/11 attacks.
The tower was built in the late 1980s and is situated near Sotheby's Auction House. It has 183 apartments, many of which sell for more than $1 million (€800,000).
Several helicopters have crashed over the years into or near the rivers flanking Manhattan.
(Filed: 11/10/2006)
A small aircraft has crashed into a building on Manhattan's Upper East Side, but a US official said there was no reason to believe it was terrorism-related.
The small general aviation plane truck struck the 20th floor of a building on East 72nd St and York Avenue, near the East River, CNN reported, quoting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Witnesses said flames could be seen shooting from windows on two upper floors of The Belaire, a 50-story tower close to the East River.
Sandy Teller, who lives a block away, said: "It's a mob scene with police and helicopters circling.
"There's a dozen ambulances and lots of firemen waiting on 72nd, on the corner. There's lots of stretchers ready, gurneys. And lots of emergency people waiting."
Burning debris fell on the streets below as firefighters aimed water at the flames from lower floors.
There was no immediate word on any deaths or injuries and a US official told Reuters there were no grounds to believe that the crash was an act of terrorism.
"I have no reason to believe at this point that the crash in New York City is terrorism-related," the official, who declined to be identified, said.
The FAA said it was unclear whether the aircraft was a plane or a helicopter, and said all three airports in the New York City area are operating normally.
The images of fire and smoke pouring out of the windows of a high rise building evoked images of the 9/11 attacks.
The tower was built in the late 1980s and is situated near Sotheby's Auction House. It has 183 apartments, many of which sell for more than $1 million (€800,000).
Several helicopters have crashed over the years into or near the rivers flanking Manhattan.