[VanDerSmok]

Large-scale NYFD response now underway, reported helicopter crash into high floor of residential building.

[Fdmnrnba]

Damn.

[BigMovies]

I'm just seeing it on CW 11. It's breaking news. Scary.

[paydayus]

The "Belaire"

[FalHaitle]

Anybody got pictures from where they live or near the area right now, just curious?

[quack!]

There's video on http://cw11.trb.com

[eropiereetuekm]

Excellent stuff, thank you.

[JanetMorris]

4th alarm transmitted at 3:29 pm.

[lorrieholdridge]

oh my god !

[berdyanskdotsu]

It's a concrete structure. The fire will probably be contained. It'll be alright.

[Rexaviennatutr]

525 E 72nd St
New York, NY 10021

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=e...15&t=h&iwloc=A

FBI says terrorism not involved in Manhattan aircraft crash

Contributed by Staten Island Advance - Posted: October 11, 2006 3:04:52 PM

A small plane or helicopter crashed into a high-rise on the Upper East Side, setting off a fire and startling New Yorkers, police said.
An FBI spokeswoman in New York said there is no indication that terrorism was involved, but that officials "have been sent to the scene as a routine," according to The Associated Press.
"The initial indication is that there is a terrible accident," Department of Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke told the AP.
Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Jim Peters said all three New York City-area airports are operating normally.
The extent of any injuries is not yet known.
The FAA said it was too early to determine what type of aircraft was involved, or what might have caused the crash in the middle of a hazy October afternoon
The aircraft struck struck the 20th floor of a building at 524 E. 72nd Street. Witnesses said the crash caused a loud noise, and burning and falling debris was seen. Flames were seen shooting out of the windows.
The building is a 50-story condominium tower built in 1986 and located nearby Sotheby's Auction House. It has 183 apartments, many of which sell for more than $1 million.
http://sianewsroom.blogs.silive.com/...sp?item=219080

[JasminBerkova]

Small Aircraft Hits Building in Manhattan



WABC
The aircraft struck 524 E. 72nd Street,
a 50-story condominium tower.



By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: October 11, 2006


NEW YORK (AP) -- A small plane crashed into a high-rise on the Upper East Side, raining down debris on Manhattan and unleashing what witnesses reported was a gigantic fireball, police said.

The aircraft struck the 20th floor of a building on East 72nd Street, said Fire Department spokeswoman Emily Rahimi. Witnesses said the crash caused a loud noise, and burning and falling debris was seen. Flames were seen shooting out of the windows.


"There's huge pieces of debris falling," said one witness who refused to give her full name. "There's so much falling now, I've got to get away."

The Federal Aviation Administration said it was too early to determine what type of aircraft was involved, or what might have caused the crash in the middle of a hazy October afternoon.


Witness Sarah Steiner, who lives one block away, told CNN that "The fire was raging out of two windows on approximately the 30th floor. ... They are evacuating the building."


Whether anyone was injured was not known, and it was unclear if the crash was an act of terrorism. Firefighters rushed to the scene.


The address of the building is 524 E. 72nd Street -- a 50-story condominium tower built in the late 1980s and located near Sotheby's Auction House. The Belaire Condo, developed by William Zeckendorf Jr., has 183 apartments, many of which sell for more than $1 million.

[Serttyfd]

Local Live Map

[tipokotap]

The location.




A close up of the scene from the Times.

[art_fan_12]

"The FAA placed a one-mile flight restriction around the site of the crash, but New York area airports were not affected."

http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/10/11/plane.crash/index.html

[DailyRingtone]

Damn.


Aircraft hits Manhattan building; 2 dead

By COLEEN LONG, Associated Press Writer

NEW YORK - A small plane crashed into an Upper East Side high-rise Wednesday, shooting flames out the windows, raining debris on the sidewalks below and rattling New Yorkers' nerves exactly one month after the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack. Police confirmed 2 people are dead.

Christine Monaco, a New York spokeswoman for FBI, said there was no indication of terrorism, but that officials "have been sent to the scene as a routine." FAA spokesman Jim Peters said all three New York City-area airports were operating normally.

"The initial indication is that there is a terrible accident," said Department of Homeland Security spokesman Russ Knocke.

Nevertheless, fighter jets were scrambled over U.S. cities as a precaution, the Pentagon said.

The aircraft struck the 20th floor of a building on East 72nd Street, said Fire Department spokeswoman Emily Rahimi. Witnesses said the crash caused a loud noise, and flames were seen shooting out of the windows.

"It's a mob scene with police and helicopters circling," said Sandy Teller, watching from his apartment a block away. "There's a dozen ambulances and lots of firefighters waiting on 72nd, on the corner. There's lots of stretchers ready, gurneys. And lots of emergency people waiting."

The crash struck fear in a city devastated by the attacks of Sept. 11 five years ago. Witnesses said sirens echoed across the east side of Manhattan as emergency workers rushed to the scene. The crash triggered a loud bang. Broken glass and debris was strewn around the neighborhood.

"There's a sense of helplessness," Teller said. "Cots and gurneys, waiting. It's a mess."

The Federal Aviation Administration said it was too early to determine what type of aircraft was involved, or what might have caused the crash in the middle of a hazy October afternoon.

Richard Drutman, a professional photographer who lives on the building's 11th floor, said he was speaking on the telephone when he felt the building shake.

"There was a huge explosion. I looked out my window, and saw what appeared to be pieces of wings, on fire, falling from the sky," Drutman said.

He and his girlfriend quickly evacuated the building.

The address of the building is 524 E. 72nd Street — a 50-story condominium tower built in the late 1980s and located near Sotheby's auction house. The Belaire Condo, developed by William Zeckendorf Jr., has 183 apartments, many of which sell for more than $1 million.

Several lower floors of the building are occupied by doctors and administrative offices, as well as guest facilities for family members of patients at the Hospital for Special Surgery, hospital spokeswoman Phyllis Fisher said. No patients were in the high-rise building and operations at the hospital a block away weren't affected, Fisher said. The Hospital for Special Surgery specializes in orthopedic operations.

[IdomeoreTew]

I just heard on Channel 2 that the plane was registered to Cory Lidle, a pitcher for the Yankees. Also i just heard on the radio that there are 4 fatalities.

[Brainpole]

Anyone on the board actually see this?

Almost everyone I know in the area was away at work - just can see the smoke (if that - its damn cloudy/foggy out).

[strongjannabiz]

Photo credited to AP, from http://www.silive.com/

[Lymneterfeiff]

I can't STAND the fact that they seem to all be fixated with 9-11 in the very first paragraph.

"1 month to the day from the anniversary"... wait a sec. It is not on the anniversary, so stop TRYING to draw similarities. I do not CARE that fighter jets were scrambled and i do not think a single person here though "terrorist attack" when they first heard about it. Maybe after a minute or two the possibility crept in, but it was not my first reaction....

We have to be willing to let go of 9-11 a bit. We do not have to forget, but stop trying to relive it at every opportunity.