Small Plane Crashes Into Assistant Living Parking Lot, In Flames, All On Board Survived

[OneEyedDiva]

This is incredible. The plane was just a few feet from the apartment complex, ignited fires in 12 cars but the 5 passengers and no one on the ground was killed. The passengers were taken to the hospital. Two have been released and the others are being treated for burns. Video included in first link:
https://www.wgal.com/article/lancaster-pa-plane-crash-brethren-village/64122066

Three killed in UMMC helicopter crash - Mississippi Today

 

[WhatInThe]

The pilot reported the door was partially open and would have to return or land immediately. They're crediting him for making the crash survivable. One of two of the crew have severe burns from what I heard.

 

[911]

This happened in Lancaster, PA, not far from where I live. I received the message not long after it happened on Sunday from someone that lives nearby. The plane was a single engine Cessna 172 headed for Springfield, Ohio. There were 5 passengers onboard and all survived, but not all of the cars in the parking lot. I’m not sure how many were burned or struck by the plane. I think the passengers were very fortunate. My guess is that the pilot chose to sit the plane down in a suitable spot.

I have been to the Lancaster airport a few times. It’s a small airport that still has a few commercial flights that fly in and out of the airport.

 

[oldman]

I don’t know how long the pilot of this Cessna has been flying, but in speaking with other pilots that fly these small private planes, he should have been able to reach the airport. Maybe there is another issue that is missing.

I last flew a Cessna at flight schools many years ago. I really can’t remember having any issues. I am sure this pilot may have been concerned with the door being part way open because it may have created drag on the plane. In that case, he could have gained altitude when he first discovered the door was partially opened and in doing so, he could have descended at a slower rate to reach the airport.

But, as they say, this is “Monday morning quarterbacking”. After a United plane had an episode with a door coming open in 1989, there are now warning lights to make the pilots aware that a door is open or even ajar. This was a terrible accident. After the decompression, I believe eight or nine passengers were blown through the floor and into the Pacific Ocean while in their seats. That would be a nightmare.

United Plane Decompression

 

[Della]

That picture with the wing smushed over a parked car! Some kind hearted person went to visit their old friend in the nursing home and a plane fell on their car. Another example of very bad luck is Springfield Ohio.

 

[911]

I don’t know how long the pilot of this Cessna has been flying, but in speaking with other pilots that fly these small private planes, he should have been able to reach the airport. Maybe there is another issue that is missing.

I last flew a Cessna at flight schools many years ago. I really can’t remember having any issues. I am sure this pilot may have been concerned with the door being part way open because it may have created drag on the plane. In that case, he could have gained altitude when he first discovered the door was partially opened and in doing so, he could have descended at a slower rate to reach the airport.

But, as they say, this is “Monday morning quarterbacking”. After a United plane had an episode with a door coming open in 1989, there are now warning lights to make the pilots aware that a door is open or even ajar. This was a terrible accident. After the decompression, I believe eight or nine passengers were blown through the floor and into the Pacific Ocean while in their seats. That would be a nightmare.

United Plane Decompression

I can’t even imagine being in my seat on an airplane and being dumped into an ocean from whatever altitude the plane was flying. That’s just terrifying thinking about it.