A “mass casualty incident” has been declared after a small plane crashed near a Pennsylvania retirement community.
Emergency services, including several ambulances, are at the scene of the incident in Manheim Township.
The plane is believed to be a six seater Beechcraft which was en route to Springfield, Ohio.
It has crashed into a residential area, with images showing some houses alight as a result of the crash.
Footage posted on X showed the aftermath of the crash
Shannon Pipkin/X
Democrat Governor of Pennsylvania Josh Shapiro wrote on X: “Our team 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.
According to FlightAware, the plane departed from Lancaster Airport, just north of the crash site, at 3:26 p.m. ET and was headed toward Springfield, Ohio,
Five people were on board the single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza, the Federal Aviation Administration told CNN.
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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,” ABC News reports.
An emergency alert shared online reads: “MCI declared, 500 airport road in Manheim Township in Lancaster County.
“EMS (Emergency Medical Services) with a plane down, on fire, several autos on fire as well. Multiple patients including burn victims.”
One person said of the incident: “I sincerely hope everyone on the ground manages to survive this. I enjoy Lancaster; what a tragic way to conclude a Sunday.”