(TheConservativeTimes.org) – In what can only be described as a miracle, five people survived when their small plane crashed into a retirement community parking lot in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
The 1981 Beechcraft A36 Bonanza crashed shortly after takeoff, causing a large fireball and damaging multiple vehicles.
Watch the video down below.
Remarkably, no one on the ground was injured despite the plane narrowly missing a three-story building.
The incident occurred near Lancaster Airport in Manheim Township when the pilot reported an open door to air traffic control.
After being cleared to return to the airport, the aircraft crashed into the parking lot of Brethren Village retirement community, skidding nearly 100 feet after making contact with the ground.
All five crew members aboard the Jam Zoom Yayos LLC-owned aircraft were injured and transported to local hospitals.
Officials confirmed that while injuries were sustained, all victims are expected to survive – an outcome authorities are calling remarkable given the severity of the crash.
“[When] we have a plane crash where everybody survives…is a great thing,” officials stated while addressing the media about the incident.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing a large fireball and thick black smoke rising from the crash site.
The impact damaged a dozen parked cars and forced the closure of Route 501 near the crash site to facilitate emergency response efforts.
Residents of Brethren Village were temporarily asked to shelter in place, though officials quickly confirmed there was no ongoing threat to the community.
“It was remarkable that everyone on the plane survived and that no one on the ground was injured,” said Manheim Township Police Chief Duane Fisher.
First responders acted swiftly, with hazmat crews joining fire and police departments to manage fuel cleanup at the scene.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro confirmed that state police were assisting local authorities with the emergency response and subsequent investigation.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have both launched investigations into the crash.
Early information indicates the pilot reported an open door shortly after takeoff, which may have contributed to the emergency landing attempt.
This incident follows a more tragic aviation accident just one month earlier, when an air ambulance crashed in Philadelphia, killing all seven people aboard.
The stark contrast in outcomes highlights the unpredictable nature of aviation emergencies and the importance of thorough safety investigations.
Officials noted that the investigation will focus on determining what caused the door issue and whether proper emergency protocols were followed.
The quick response by emergency personnel and the pilot’s apparent attempt to find a safe landing area likely made it possible to prevent deaths in what could have been a much more devastating accident.
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