A Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft crashed on Sunday afternoon in Pennsylvania, with five individuals sustaining injuries. As reported by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the crash was along a retirement village located south of Lancaster Airport, Manheim Township. The aircraft was just departing the airport when it crashed.
The accident occurred at around 3 p.m., just after the plane was cleared to come back to the airport because it experienced a problem with its door. A recording from Air Traffic Control showed the pilot’s first radio contact, announcing, “We have an open door, we need to return for landing.” The plane was cleared to come back, but seconds later, the controller directed the pilot to “pull up,” which indicates an emergency.
Witnesses posted photos of huge clouds of smoke and fire from the crash scene in Lititz, Manheim Township. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro tweeted an update on X.com, saying that state police and local emergency responders were on the scene helping with the incident. “All Commonwealth resources are available as the response continues, and more information will be provided as it becomes available,” Shapiro stated.
Though the FAA has initiated an inquiry, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is equally watching the case. Initial indications are that the aircraft could have skidded some 100 feet upon impact.
There were five passengers on board the plane and all were hastily taken to Lancaster General Hospital. Medical personnel anticipated trauma cases and emergency teams within the hospital moved quickly. Two of the passengers were subsequently taken by air transport to Lehigh Valley Health Network’s burn center for treatment and one was ground-ambulance transported. To date, on Sunday evening, two patients were being held in the hospital at Lancaster General.
Luckily, none of the individuals on the ground were hurt at the time of the crash. Local officials promised to give out information as facts are made known. The authorities are still trying to determine what caused the accident.
