posted October 11, 2006 03:47 PM              

October 12, 2006

A small aircraft crashed into a building on Manhattan's Upper East Side on Wednesday, but a US official said there was no reason to believe it was terrorism-related.

The small general aviation plane crashed on East 72nd St. and York Avenue, near the East River, CNN reported, citing the Federal Aviation Administration.

The Federal Aviation Administration said it was not clear whether the craft was a helicopter or a small plane, but the New York Fire Department identified it as a helicopter.

A US official told Reuters there was no reason to believe the crash was an act of terrorism.

The images of fire and smoke pouring out of the windows of a high rise building evoked images of the hijack plane attacks of September 11, 2001.

evoked images of the hijack plane attacks

CNN, citing a police source, said the craft hit a 20-story residential building.

Several helicopters have crashed over the years into or near the rivers flanking Manhattan.

More to follow

posted October 11, 2006 06:32 PM              

Yankee Cory Lidle on NYC Plane; 2 Killed
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Oct 11, 5:36 PM (ET)

By COLLEEN LONG

(AP) New York Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle reacts to a reporters question during a news conference at...
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NEW YORK (AP) - A small plane with New York Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle aboard crashed into a high-rise condominium tower Wednesday on the Upper East Side, killing at least two people and raining flaming debris on the sidewalks below, authorities said.

The New York City medical examiner's office now says two people have died in the plane crash, not four as the office had previously reported.

There was no immediate confirmation Lidle was among the dead, although a federal law enforcement official said Lidle's passport was found on the street beneath the crash site.

A law enforcement official in Washington, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Lidle was on the plane. And Federal Aviation Administration records showed the single-engine plane was registered to the athlete.

There was no word yet on injuries linked to the crash on an overcast October afternoon, which sent thick black smoke soaring above the city skyline and flames shooting out of apartments above the tony neighborhood.

On Sunday, the day after the Yankees were eliminated from the playoffs, Lidle cleaned out his locker at Yankee Stadium and talked about his interest in flying. He explained to reporters the process of getting a pilot's license, and said he intended to fly back to California in several days and planned to make a few stops.

Lidle, 34, a nine-year major league veteran, came to the Yankees from the Philadelphia Phillies in a late-season trade. The journeyman pitched for seven teams during a career in compiling an 82-78 lifetime record.

posted October 11, 2006 09:59 PM              

I am tired of your negativity..on the United States of America..if you have nothing good to report..then please do not report..

You feed negative energy..like wood burns. ...

posted October 12, 2006 08:56 AM              

By ROBERT WELLER
Associated Press Writer

DENVER (AP) -- The military sent dozens of fighter jets Wednesday to patrol the skies over New York, Washington, and other U.S. and Canadian cities minutes after a small plane crashed into a New York City high-rise.

Keating said he ordered the fighters to be scrambled immediately after seeing information about the crash on television. The aircraft "were in the air in less than 10 minutes," he said, adding, "We assumed it was (a terrorist act) until we were confident it wasn't."

"This is a significant event," he later said at a news conference. "My first reaction when I saw an airplane going into a building in New York City was, "Oh no, we've got another 9/11."

In addition to the fighters, the military sent up other support aircraft, including Airborne Warning and Control System and tankers. AWACS planes are used to coordinate the flights of the fighters and to track any other aircraft in the area.