A small aircraft crashed near Lancaster Airport, Pennsylvania, on Sunday afternoon, March 9, causing a blazing fire and multiple injuries.
Emergency services rushed to the scene as flames engulfed vehicles in a car park.
The aircraft, identified as a Beechcraft Bonanza, took off from Lancaster Airport at 3:26 p.m. ET but attempted to turn back after the pilot reported an open door.
The pilot reportedly struggled to hear air traffic control instructions due to wind noise from the unlocked hatch. In the distress call, an air traffic controller can be heard instructing the pilot to “pull up” before confirming the aircraft had crashed near the terminal in a car park.
The plane crashed between Fairview Drive and Meadowview Court. The area contains a retirement home, but it’s currently unknown if residents were affected.
Online footage showed thick black smoke billowing from the wreckage, with multiple parked vehicles destroyed by flames. The aircraft’s tail was the only visible part among the debris, confirming the crash’s severity.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro stated on X that state police were assisting local first responders, adding that “all Commonwealth resources are available as the response continues.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that five people were on board the plane. The cause of the crash remains unknown, and the FAA will lead an investigation into the incident, as reported by CNN.
Sadly, this adds to the recent string of plane crashes in the US this year.
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