Washington: A single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza crashed into the parking lot of the Brethren Village retirement community in Manheim Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, on Sunday afternoon.
The accident, which occurred around 3:18 p.m., left five people injured and damaged multiple vehicles, authorities confirmed.
Manheim Township Fire Chief Scott Little stated in a press briefing that all five individuals aboard the aircraft were transported to local hospitals for treatment. Fortunately, no one on the ground was harmed, and there was no structural damage to the retirement community’s buildings. However, approximately a dozen cars were impacted, with five sustaining significant damage.
Footage from the scene showed the wreckage engulfed in flames, producing thick black smoke. Firefighters worked quickly to extinguish the blaze using a large volume of water, according to Chief Little.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into the incident. The crash follows a series of aviation accidents across the country, including a tragic medical jet crash in Philadelphia on January 31, which resulted in seven fatalities.
Reports indicate that the pilot of the Beechcraft Bonanza had radioed air traffic control about an open door just before the crash. A controller advised the pilot to "pull up" moments before impact. The aircraft had taken off from Lancaster Airport and was en route to Springfield, Ohio, as per flight tracking data from FlightAware.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro acknowledged the incident on social media, confirming that state resources were available to support local emergency responders.
Eyewitness Brian Pipkin described the plane’s erratic movements before the crash, stating it was initially at a high altitude before sharply veering left and nose-diving into the ground. Upon reaching the crash site, Pipkin saw the cockpit engulfed in flames, describing the heat as "like opening an oven at 500 degrees."
Authorities, including Pennsylvania State Police and Manheim Township Fire and Rescue, continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.
