Look! I did a FauxNews headline with a question mark! The wife tells me a small plane or helicopter has crashed into a building in New York. The building is on fire.
This information is unconfirmed and could be inaccurate.
NEW YORK (AP) — Police say an aircraft has crashed into a building on Manhattan’s Upper East Side at 72nd Street and York Avenue. It is near Rockefeller Center. [Source]
Here’s a photo.
Update: Live video and another picture.
Update: MSNBC chimes in.
According to local affiliate WNBC, officials said the aircraft was a helicopter, not a plane. That had not been confirmed by any other sources.
…
Apartments occupy floors 22 through 50; a hospital is on the lower floors. … struck struck the 20th floor…
[Source]
At least they don’t have far to go to find doctors.
Update: "NORAD is launching fighters to several U.S. cities." – unconfirmed.
New York City Police said there was no indication from defense department officials that any suspicious aircraft were in the area.
Prior to the crash, some witnesses said the craft was flying erratically.
[Source]
Update: NPR blog lists the aircraft as "a small plane."
The address of the building is 524 E. 72nd Street [map] — 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. [Source]
Update: Here’s a good roundup.
Update: "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." [Source]
Update: Al Jazera is also reporting it as a small plane.
And for the best American news coverage, check out the BBC.
168 firefighters on the scene. 4 alarm fire.
I love the fact that the media just won’t let the “possible terror attack” angle go… come on folks. Today just isn’t a news day for terror. You’ve got a plane crash, fire, NORAD on alert, what more do you want?! Ok, back to CNN! Thanks for the updates! ~ h