UPDATE: A single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza, registered as N347M, crashed near Lancaster Airport in Manheim Township shortly after 3:00 p.m. on Sunday. Officials confirmed to AP that five people were onboard. At this time, there is no information regarding fatalities or the extent of injuries. Videos from the scene show thick black smoke rising from the wreckage, with several vehicles engulfed in flames.
Providing an update on the plane crash, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro wrote on X, “Our team at @PAStatePolice is on the ground assisting local first responders following the small private plane crash near Lancaster Airport in Manheim Township. All Commonwealth resources are available as the response continues, and more information will be provided as it becomes available.”
Speaking to CNN, a witness described seeing the aircraft crash in the parking lot of the Brethren Village Retirement Community shortly after takeoff.
“It was pretty high, but then it started veering left, and suddenly it nose-dived sideways while continuing to turn left,” Brian Pipkin told CNN.
Pipkin rushed to the scene and saw the plane's cockpit engulfed in flames, along with nearby vehicles.
“It was so hot,” Pipkin told CNN. “I was getting closer, praying to God that nothing would blow up.”
{{/usCountry}}“It was so hot,” Pipkin told CNN. “I was getting closer, praying to God that nothing would blow up.”
{{/usCountry}}ORIGINAL STORY: A small plane has crashed in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, near the intersection of Fairview Drive and Meadowview Court in Manheim Township, according to WGAL.
Authorities told 6ABC that Aircraft N347M crashed shortly after taking off from Lancaster Airport at 3:15 p.m. According to WHP-TV, the plane went down in the parking lot of the Brethren Village Retirement Community around 3:20 p.m. on Sunday. As a result of the crash, Route 501 has been closed in the area.
Photos and videos from the scene show multiple cars on fire, and injuries have been reported. The number of people onboard the plane remains unclear at this time.