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| Plane crashes into US building, 2 killed | | |
A small plane has crashed into a high-rise building in mid town Manhattan killing two persons, including baseball star Cory Lidle, and igniting a raging fire although officials confirmed that it was not a case of terrorism.
However, as a precautionary measures, fighter planes were scrambled and deployed over several American cities and President George Bush was informed of the incident but no restrictions were put on the regular commercial flight. There is also no official plan to raise the threat level.
New York Police department officials and New York City Medical examiner said two were confirmed dead in yesterday's accident, according to Fox News.
The news channel said New York Yankees baseball pitcher Cory Lidle, who was piloting the aircraft and an instructor died in the crash.
The single engined plane was flying under visual flying rules and officials said it is unlikely to have a flight recorder.
The plane hit the 40 or 41st floor of the 50-storey building, sending fiery debris into the street below.
Investigators at the scene were trying to piece together the evidence and determine the exact cause.
Senior officials of various relevant agencies related to national security in Washington are awaiting for more details of the crash.
Official indications are that the crash into an apartment complex is an accident with no relevance or indications of terrorism. But they are being extra careful in characterising the ongoing investigations as nothing is ruled "in" or "out" is the refrain.
President George W Bush has been informed of the plane crash but unlike what took place in the aftermath of the terror attacks of 11th September 2001, the security scenario around the President or the White House has not undergone major changes.
But the North American Aerospace Defence Command, NORAD, is said to have put fighter aircraft over several American cities as a way of precaution but the defence agency is tight lipped on which cities in America are under surveillance.
The NORAD which monitors air traffic has said that it has not been tracking the small plane that crashed into Manhattan last afternoon.
The Federal Aviation Administration immediately swung into action putting a one mile flight restriction around the site of the crash but the airports around the New York City have not been affected.
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