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By Adeola Adeosun
Weekend Night Editor
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A Beechcraft Bonanza crashed in Pennsylvania on Sunday afternoon with five people aboard, according to the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA). The small aircraft went down in the parking lot of retirement village south of Lancaster Airport, the Manheim Borough Police Department told ABC News.
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed to Newsweek in email responses that the crash occurred around 3 p.m. Both agencies are investigating.
Why It Matters
This latest crash adds to a growing number of recent aviation incidents. In February, a Delta Air Lines jet overturned while landing in extreme winds—just weeks after a Black Hawk helicopter collided with an American Airlines passenger plane over the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., killing all 64 passengers and three helicopter crew members.
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Additionally, a private jet owned by Mötley Crüe singer Vince Neil veered off a runway in Scottsdale, Arizona and collided with a business jet in February, resulting in the death of one of its two pilots.
The Trump administration is facing scrutiny for laying off hundreds of probationary FAA employees just weeks after the deadliest U.S. crash in nearly 25 years.
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What To Know
According to audio from Air Traffic Control, the pilot told the Lancaster Airport control tower that his plane "has an open door we need to return for landing." ATC then cleared the plane to return, but a few seconds later the controller told the plane to "pull up," the audio revealed.
Images taken by witnesses and shared with ABC News showed flames and smoke billowing from the crash site in Lititz, Manheim Township.
Witness Brian Pipkin told the Associated Press he saw the plane climb before suddenly veering left and going "down nose first," followed by "an immediate fireball." The aircraft reportedly crashed in the parking lot of Brethren Village retirement community, igniting multiple vehicles but narrowly missing a three-story building.
What People Are Saying
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro posted a statement on X, formerly Twitter: "Our team at @PAStatePolice is on the ground assisting local first responders following the small private plane crash near Lancaster Airport in Manheim Township. All Commonwealth resources are available as the response continues, and more information will be provided as it becomes available."
National Transportation Safety Board told Newsweek in an email response: "NTSB is aware of a crash and is gathering information and monitoring the situation at this time. Information will be released as it becomes available."
Federal Aviation Authority confirmed the crash to Newsweek in an email: "A Beechcraft Bonanza crashed in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, around 3 p.m. local time on Sunday, March 9. Five people were on board. The FAA will investigate."
What Happens Next
The FAA and NTSB will conduct investigations to determine the cause of the accident.
Update, 3/9/25 at 6:50 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information, context and quotes.
This is a developing story and more information will be added as it becomes available.
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