Aircraft crashes into NYC building

[shreddermon]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15223650/

Doesn't look like this was terrorism, but it sure doesn't look good for victims. I'm sure it brings back some very bad memories for City residents, too.

[rjohnstone]

I saw that... the latest report said a helicopter in distress lost control and crashed into the building.
Looks like the fire dept. just reached the floor and are trying to put it out.

[AzPilot]

They are reporting a fixed wing airplane now. Terrible news.

[Joe_Steeler]

Can't imagine the nerves going on in The City right now.
NORAD scrambled fighter planes just in case.
Crazy.

[Shawn Lutz]

I'm heraring it was being flown by NY Yankee Pitcher Cory Lidle and that he perished in the crash

[atomic charvel guy]

It's official Cory Lidle is dead.

[donf]

Crap

[ChickenScratch]

Fuck the day I've had guys. My girlfriend works across the street at Sotheby's and the news would just give the intersection where it happened and not the address! All day I was frantically trying to get her on the phone because I thought it crashed into her building.

Even now I'm freaking the hell out because I was worried about her all day.

[IrfaanSE801]

Fuck the day I've had guys. My girlfriend works across the street at Sotheby's and the news would just give the intersection where it happened and not the address! All day I was frantically trying to get her on the phone because I thought it crashed into her building.

Even now I'm freaking the hell out because I was worried about her all day.

I work across the street from there and let me just tell ya, no one on the streets looking the least bit panicked. Everyone was calm and probably didn't even know. Hell, someone from Virginia called one of my co-workers and he told all of us, and my brother on 68th St at school didn't know anything happened till an hour afterwards. Very sad to hear about it all though, and still wondering how it happened...

[RacerX]

Apparently he was doing what's called a "River Run"

A few dozen times I have done what some pilots call the "River Run" where you fly on the New Jersey side of the East and Hudson Rivers at 1,000 feet or below, turn near the Statue of Liberty, and then fly down the New York side, fairly close to the towering skyscrapers. There were a number of restrictions after the Sept. 11 attack but some of them have since been loosened.
In fact, a radar plot, according to authorities, shows Lidle's plane attempting the same kind of flight down that corridor that I have done many times.
That flight, up and down the river, is done under visual flight rules, meaning you mostly use your eyes to navigate.
The "River Run" is stunning and gorgeous, particularly at night, but it can also be, unfortunately, slightly dangerous. The reason why is because of the tight quarters. There are dozens of other planes and helicopters flying all around you. If you are qualified, it is not necessarily dangerous, but it is tricky. There is little room for error and if the visibility is poor it is that much riskier.

[OnlineStageGear]

Man, shame on all the news agencies. His name was all over the news before his family was contacted. That's why the Mayor wouldn't confirm who it was. How would you like to be driving down the road or be passing a shop windows with a TV in it and find out your loved one died.

Matt

[StukaJU87]

I didn't know you flew, Ron? I was at work when it happened. Sad news.

[AzPilot]

I have a story behind this tragedy today, that i will share with the board at a later time. Very sad news. My thoughts and prayers are with his family now.

[atomic charvel guy]

fukkin monster numb attack tonite, his poor family was on another plane before they even heard what happened.

[ChickenScratch]

I work across the street from there and let me just tell ya, no one on the streets looking the least bit panicked. Everyone was calm and probably didn't even know. Hell, someone from Virginia called one of my co-workers and he told all of us, and my brother on 68th St at school didn't know anything happened till an hour afterwards. Very sad to hear about it all though, and still wondering how it happened...

Yeah man, but you were in the city, I was out in Long Island and heard scetchy reports on the news. Hell yeah it's scary, my girl works over there!

So sad about Lidle though, as a Yankee I feel the loss.