Small aircraft hits building in New York City

[Charles Brown <cbrown@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Small aircraft hits building in New York City


October 11, 2006



ASSOCIATED PRESS

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 (WABC-TV)

A small plane crashed into a high-rise condominium Wednesday on Manhattan's
Upper East Side, touching off a raging fire and raining flaming debris on
the streets below, police said. There was no immediate word on any deaths or
injuries.
It was not immediately known if it was terrorism.

Flames shot from the windows on two upper floors of The Belaire, a 50-story
tower on East 72nd Street, close to the East River. A pillar of black smoke
rose over the city, and burning debris fell as firefighters shot water
streams of water at the flames from the floors below.

Fire Department spokeswoman Emily Rahimi said the aircraft struck the 20th
floor.
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, overcast October afternoon.

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.

This report will be updated as details become available.