LNP, Lancaster, Pa.
(TNS)
Mar. 10—A plane crashed Sunday afternoon in the parking lot of Brethren Village in Manheim Township, leaving five people injured.
Investigators continue to piece together what happened Monday morning. The crash comes amid a series of plane crashes receiving receiving national attention in the early months of 2025.
Here's what we know − and don't know − about the crash so far.
Where and when did the plane crash?
Lancaster County-Wide Communications received the initial dispatch shortly after 3:15 p.m. Sunday. Manheim Township officials stated the exact time was 3:18 p.m. during a press conference. The plane crashed in the parking lot of Brethren Village, a retirement community along Airport Road.
What kind of aircraft was the plane? Who owned it? Where was its initial destination?
Federal Aviation Administration ( FAA) officials confirmed the plane as a Beechcraft Bonanza, a single engine aircraft which seats six.
Jam Zoom Yayos LLC in Manheim owned the aircraft, according to the plane's FAA registration.
The aircraft was scheduled to take off from the Lancaster Airport at 3:15 p.m. Sunday for a flight to Springfield, Ohio.
Was what the communication between the pilot of the plane and air traffic control?
According to air traffic audio, a person on the aircraft was heard reporting that a door on the aircraft was open before requesting a landing at the airport. An air traffic controller had cleared the plane to land before saying "Pull up!"
What happened when the plane hit the ground? Was anyone on the ground hurt?
Manheim Township chief of police Duane Fisher said that initial investigation indicates the plane may have skidded over 100 feet after making contact with the ground.
"I don't know if I'd consider it a miracle, but the fact that we have a plane crash where no one on the ground was hurt is a wonderful thing," Fisher said.
Brethren Village residents were asked to shelter in place during the initial investigation. No structural damage to any of its buildings occurred during the crash.
Were there any injuries or fatalities?
Five people were confirmed to be on the plane by both the FAA and Manheim Township officials. All sustained injuries and were transported to local hospitals.
No one on the ground was hurt.
What happens now? Who is currently investigating?
Manheim Township fire rescue/emergency management director Scott Little stated Sunday they will now transition into the discovery and investigation phase. Additional info from federal agencies on next steps is to be determined.
Civil air patrol units were spotted at the scene Monday morning. Little later confirmed that the units were securing the scene for the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board ( NTSB).
Lancaster Airport officials had no additional information Monday.
What have government officials said about the crash?
Lancaster County commissioners Josh Parsons and Alice Yoder were in attendance at the Brethren Village press conference Sunday following the crash. The two declined comment, deferring to Little and Fisher. Additional information will be released via the Lancaster County PIO office.
Through a statement posted on social media, Governor Josh Shapiro's office said Pennsylvania State Police are on the scene assisting local law enforcement.
"All Commonwealth resources are available as the response continues, and more information will be provided as it becomes available," the Governor's office said.
President Donald Trump was asked about the crash late Sunday night in relation to aviation accidents that have taken place since the start of 2025.
"Well that has nothing to do with the department," Trump said. "That was a small plane, and that would have happened whether you had a big department or a small department as you understand. They have spates like this. You know, they have times when things happen a little bit more often than normal and then it goes back and you go many years without having a problem."
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