Plane crashes into retirement home car park
A plane carrying five people crashed into a retirement home car park before bursting into flames in Pennsylvania on Sunday.
The accident happened around 3pm just south of Lancaster airport in Manheim Township, said Duane Fisher, police chief.
Nobody on the ground was hurt and those on board were taken to hospital.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed there were five people aboard the Beechcraft Bonanza. Its planned flight and destination have not yet been released.
The conditions of the five were not immediately known and authorities didn't elaborate on how they survived the crash.
Brian Pipkin was driving nearby when he noticed the small plane climbing before it suddenly veered to the left.
'And then it went down nose first,' he told The Associated Press. 'There was an immediate fireball.'
After calling the emergency services, Mr Pipkin drove to the crash site where he recorded video of black smoke billowing from the wreckage and multiple cars in flames in a car park at Brethren Village.
He said the plane narrowly missed hitting a three-story building at the sprawling retirement community about 75 miles west of Philadelphia.
'It was so smoky and it was so hot,' Mr Pipkin said. 'They were really struggling to get the fire out.'
A dozen parked cars were damaged and Brethren Village residents were asked to shelter inside as a precaution, Mr Fisher said.
'I don't know if I'd consider it a miracle, but the fact that we have a plane crash where everybody survives and nobody on the ground is hurt is a wonderful thing,' the police chief added.
Air traffic control audio captured the pilot reporting that the aircraft 'has an open door, we need to return for a landing'. An air traffic controller is then heard clearing the plane to land, before saying, 'Pull up!' Moments later, someone can be heard saying the aircraft was 'down just behind the terminal in the parking lot street area'.
The FAA said it will investigate.
Josh Shapiro, the Pennsylvania governor, said state police were assisting local authorities. 'All commonwealth resources are available as the response continues and more information will be provided as it becomes available,' Mr Shapiro said on social media.
The crash comes about a month after seven people were killed when an air ambulance burst into flames after crashing onto a busy Philadelphia street.
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