Small aircraft crashes into NYC building; fighters scrambled over US cities

Sauron · #1 10-11-2006, 08:43 PM

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

Quote:

Aircraft crashes into Manhattan high-rise
POSTED: 3:27 p.m. EDT, October 11, 2006
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NEW YORK (CNN) -- An aircraft has crashed into the middle of a brick luxury high-rise residential building on Manhattan's Upper East Side at 72nd Street and York Avenue, police officials said.

The building is very close to the East River. There was no word on casualties as firefighters battled the flames that shot up from several windows in the middle of the building. The Federal Aviation Administration has said a "general aviation" aircraft had hit the building.

A North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) spokesperson, which monitors air traffic, told CNN that it had not been tracking the aircraft.

Witness Sarah Steiner told CNN that fires were burning on the ground. "It looks like the plane just flew into someone's living room there." (Watch the orange flames ravage the apartment -- 1:50)

"It looks as if the aircraft didn't go into the building but fell down," she said. "It may be part of the debris burning on the ground."

Steiner said that when she arrived, she saw fire shooting out of two windows on the 30th floor of the 50-story building.

Video from the scene shows at least three apartments in the high-rise fully engulfed in flames.

Edited to add: would it be overly cynical to suspect this is probably a Bush/Cheney attempt to create an "October surprise" and make America feel less safe?

Plant Woman · #2 10-11-2006, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sauron

Edited to add: would it be overly cynical to suspect this is probably a Bush/Cheney attempt to create an "October surprise" and make America feel less safe?

Yes. I would wait until more facts are in before speculating anything.

cappuccino · #3 10-11-2006, 08:49 PM

I *just* heard about the plane from a friend about 15 seconds ago. I'd say it's overly cynical to think Bush staged it but it won't be cynical to think that he's gonna spin this for the elections.

Tanda · #4 10-11-2006, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sauron

Edited to add: would it be overly cynical to suspect this is probably a Bush/Cheney attempt to create an "October surprise" and make America feel less safe?

Anything for ratings, right?

Hope whatever happened isn't contagious.

Petra · #5 10-11-2006, 08:54 PM

Nah. Pilot error, I'd say. Maybe the pilot was having a heart attack, or his plane was in trouble, or something. But I sincerely doubt it's a Bush/Cheney thing. As stupid and evil as those two are, I don't think they are THAT stupid.

Watser? · #6 10-11-2006, 09:06 PM

It shouldn't even merit a front page in tomorrow's paper IMO

California Tanker · #7 10-11-2006, 09:18 PM

Well, here at TSA, we're looking at the CNN footage and debating if it was a jilted lover going after his ex who live in the apartment block in a dramatic manner. Either that, or an air tourist aircraft that screwed up.

NTM

Miisa · #8 10-11-2006, 09:21 PM

I vote for lone nut who wanted to be noticed.

Watser? · #9 10-11-2006, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pepperspray

Nah. Pilot error, I'd say. Maybe the pilot was having a heart attack, or his plane was in trouble, or something. But I sincerely doubt it's a Bush/Cheney thing. As stupid and evil as those two are, I don't think they are THAT stupid.

Stupid? No
Evil? Yes

TomJoe · #10 10-11-2006, 10:07 PM

It's been reported that the plane belonged to Cory Lidle, a Yankee pitcher. They found his passport in the street.

Plant Woman · #11 10-11-2006, 10:17 PM

Yep it was him, according the NY Times. http://www.nytimes.com/pages/nyregion/index.html

MonCapitan2002 · #12 10-12-2006, 05:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by California Tanker

Well, here at TSA, we're looking at the CNN footage and debating if it was a jilted lover going after his ex who live in the apartment block in a dramatic manner. Either that, or an air tourist aircraft that screwed up.

NTM

According to an eyewitness, there was smoke coming from the plane before it crashed. My guess is mechanical failure. Would it be bad of me to say pitcher flambé?

TomJoe · #13 10-12-2006, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonCapitan2002

Would it be bad of me to say pitcher flambé?

It'd be tasteless, yes.

Dingfod · #14 10-13-2006, 12:34 AM

Headlines seen on fark.com, also tasteless, but made me chuckle:

Contrary to popular opinion, Cory Lidle can hit the broad side of a building

Cory Lidle ends with a one hitter

Legs · #15 10-13-2006, 12:45 AM

ouch... groan... hiss

Dingfod · #16 10-13-2006, 01:04 AM

Lidle hits one out of the park?

MonCapitan2002 · #17 10-13-2006, 05:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomJoe

Quote:

Originally Posted by MonCapitan2002

Would it be bad of me to say pitcher flambé?

It'd be tasteless, yes.

I know. I am bad. I just could not help myself. I do feel bad about the poor guy. Hopefully, the millions he made will be enough to ensure his family is well taken care of.

JackDog · #18 10-14-2006, 01:34 AM

This is weird. I just heard that the owner of one of the apartments that was hit was put into a coma by a Macy's Thanksgiving Day balloon accident. If you believe in god, you have to believe that he or she wants this woman dead.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15254176/

Legs · #19 10-14-2006, 01:49 AM

Maybe the Macy's accident saved them? if they had been home the plane could have killed them :yup:

Watser? · #20 10-14-2006, 02:04 AM

Must be Satan protecting them

Shake · #21 10-15-2006, 01:06 AM

Second time in my life that my team has lost a player in a plane crash. I was saddened by this one, but not as much as Munson in '79.

Dingfod · #22 11-18-2006, 05:48 AM

Man who was supposed to be on the plane with Lidle died in a plane crash in California.

Link

California Tanker · #23 11-18-2006, 06:08 AM

When it's your time, it's your time.

NTM