Five walk away from plane crash

The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are investigating after a small plane crashed into the parking lot of a retirement community just south of the Lancaster Airport.

The Beechcraft Bonanza, which was travelling from Lancaster Airport, PA (LNS/KLNS) to Springfield Airport, OH (SGH/KSGH), ended up in the parking lot of a Brethren Village. The plane crashed into several vehicles and caught on fire.

It is understood the pilot reported an open door and requested air traffic control to turn back for an immediate landing. Just before impact, the controller said “Bonanza 347M pull up!”. But the aircraft crashed shortly after.

Officials say the five people who were on the plane were hospitalised. No one on the ground was injured, and no buildings in the area were struck as the plane went down. The wreckage of the plane and the burnt vehicles could still be seen Monday morning. A news crew at the scene also saw an environmental hazard team cleaning up leftover jet fuel.

According to Flightradar24, the plane had taken off from runway 26 at Lancaster Airport around 3:30 p.m. on Sunday and was headed to Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport in Ohio.

All five passengers were initially taken to Lancaster General Hospital. Three of those patients have since been transported to Lehigh Valley Burn Center — two were airlifted and one was taken by ground. Two passengers remain at Lancaster General, according to hospital spokesperson.

At a news conference in the wake of the crash, Manheim Township Police Chief Duane Fisher was asked if he thought the result of the crash was a miracle, he said:

"I don't know if I 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."

Aircraft Information:

Owner / Operator: Jam Zoom Yayos LLC

Aircraft: Beechcraft A36TC Bonanza

Registration: N347M

Serial Number: EA-253

Engine: 1 x Allison 250 Series

First Flew: 1981

Age: 44 Years