NORAD scrambled fighter jets over several un-named American cities after a small, fixed wing aircraft crashed into a high-rise residential building in Manhattan's East Side on Wednesday. It has been confirmed that the plane belonged to New York Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle.
At least two fatalities have been confirmed after the small, fixed wing aircraft flew into the 50-story Belaire Condominiums at 524 E. 72nd Street, near the East River. Witnesses reported seeing a huge fireball, and then debris falling to the ground, which is presumed to be from the aircraft itself. 150 firefighters responded to the four-alarm fire resulting from the impact.
Although it was not yet clear what happened, early reports from authorities stated that they had no reason to believe that this was an act of terrorism. Nevertheless, following the events of 9-11, emergency measures were set in place to monitor and investigate the situation. The FAA placed a one-mile flight restriction around the site of the crash, but New York area airports were not affected. The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force, and the ATF Arson and Explosives divisions are also on the scene.
After monitoring the situation on CNN, Admiral Timothy Keating of NORAD, scrambled fighter jets over several American cities as a precaution. The Admiral stated that they were not monitoring this particular aircraft, and after contacting several intelligence agencies, had found no indication that this may have been an act of terrorism.
The FAA confirmed that the pilot of the plane made a mayday, stating that he was having fuel problems. It has been confirmed that plane was registered to New York Yankees pitcher, Cory Lidle, who was also piloting the aircraft. The plane took off from New Jersey's Teterboro Airport at approximately 2:30 pm. Lidle's passport was found in the street below the crash site.
Lidle was flying under visual flight rules, which means the pilot was flying by visual landmarks. He was accompanied by his flight instructor.
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Article comments
1 - Matthew T. Sussman
What the fuck. I saw him pitch on Saturday.
2 - Victor Lana
Truly, this makes all the minutiae regarding the "supposed" firing of Joe Torre seem even more irrelevant. Does anyone not believe that Steingrubber was trying to divert attention away from the winning Mets by focusing on the losing Yankees and their soap opera: the tale of woe of Torre, Joe?
Now, with Lidle's death we get a reminder that any one of us can get up, dressed for work, and not return home that night. That's more important than all the headlines (real or imagined in Steingrubber's beady little mind) and TV reports about Torre's "being fired."
RIP, Corey Lidle.
3 - Sstephani B.
I did a report on Corey Lidle and he was a great Pitcher, I got an A! -Stephani-
P.S.
R.I.P.