An eyewitness who saw a plane crash to the ground shortly after take off, injuring all on board, has given a chilling description of the incident.
Emergency services were rushed to a retirement community close to Lancaster Airport in Manheim Township, Pennsylvania, when a six-seater aircraft went down. Five people were onboard, including their pilot, and they were all rushed to hospital after the crash.
Despite dramatic pictures and video from the scene showing the fiery aftermath, no one on the ground is believed to have been hurt. Eyewitness Brian Pipkin gave a terrifying account of the accident, saying: “There was an immediate fireball.”
He added: “It went down nose first […] It was so smoky and it was so hot. They were really struggling to get the fire out.”
Mr Pipkin called 911 and drove to the scene of the crash where several cars were alight. He added how the plane narrowly avoided hitting a three-storey building nearby.
Local police chief Duane Fisher said: “I don’t know if I’d consider it a miracle, but the fact we have a plane crash where everybody survives and nobody on the ground is hurt is a wonderful thing.”
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed it is investigating the crash. Its planned flight and destination were not released soon after the crash, although the plane was believed to have been heading towards Ohio.
Audio believed to be from air traffic control audio revealed the pilot reported the aircraft “has an open door”. It added: “We need to return for a landing.” An air traffic controller was heard clearing the plane to land, before telling them to “pull up”.
Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro said last night: “Our team is on the ground assisting local first responders following the small private plane crash near Lancaster Airport in Manheim Township. All Commonwealth resources are available as the response continues, and more information will be provided as it becomes available.”
Shocking photos showed the tail of the plane sitting on top of several parked cars, some of which were left completely burnt out. Local reports suggested the small plane lost power shortly after take-off from nearby Lancaster Airport and was swept off course.
The incident is the latest aviation disaster to befall the US so far in 2025. Last month two people died when a plane crashed at Marana Regional Airport in Arizona. Earlier, a flight from Minneapolis-St. Paul to Pearson Airport in Toronto flipped on the runway, bursting into flames as it smashed into the tarmac.
At the end of January a commercial jet crashed into a military helicopter in Washington DC, claiming the lives of 67 people as both aircraft plunged into the icy water of a river below. The incidents have led to a dip in confidence in the safety of air travel.
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