From http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6042306.stm
An eyewitness told the BBC: ''The next thing I knew he [the plane] levelled out and then the next thing I knew he disappeared behind the building and he was gone.
"I said I can't believe that this is what I just saw and they kept saying it was a helicopter but it was a plane.''
From http://www.cnn.com/2006/US/10/11/plane.crash/index.html
NEW YORK (CNN) -- A small airplane crashed into a 50-story residential building on Manhattan's East Side on Wednesday, killing at least one person, the New York City Fire Department said. [...]
The Federal Aviation Administration described the plane as a "general aviation" fixed-wing aircraft flying under visual flight rules, meaning a pilot was flying by visual landmarks.
From http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15223889/:
WNBC in New York reports that a helicopter has crashed into a high-rise apartment building in New York City. The accident happened at 71st and York on Upper East Side. The accident happened at 71st and York on Upper East Side.
From http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15223650/
NEW YORK - A small plane crashed into a high-rise condominium Wednesday on Manhattan's Upper East Side, touching off a raging fire and stirring fears reminiscent of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. Police said two people were killed. [...]
The aircraft struck the 20th floor of the building on East 72nd Street, said Fire Department spokeswoman Emily Rahimi
From http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/MANHATTAN_PLANE_CRASH?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=US
NEW YORK (AP) -- A small plane crashed into a 50-story condominium tower Wednesday on Manhattan's Upper East Side, raining flaming debris onto the sidewalks below and rattling New Yorkers' nerves five years after the Sept. 11 attack. Police said at least two people were killed.
From http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/10/11/national/main2082292.shtml
The aircraft is a fixed-wing aircraft, not a helicopter, FAA spokesperson Diane Spitaliere said. The time recorded for the crash was 2:45 p.m.. The NYPD was first to respond to the crash.
From http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/11/nyregion/12crashcnd.html?hp&ex=1160625600&en=43676d689354db2c&ei=5094&partner=homepage
A Fire Department spokeswoman, Emily Rahimi, told The Associated Press that the aircraft struck the 20th floor of the building, 524 E. 72nd St., near York Avenue. However, television reports and witnessed said the aircraft hit closer to the 40th floor. That building and one next door were evacuated, police said.
The authorities have not said whether the aircraft was a small airplane or a helicopter.
From http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/?feed=TopNews&article=UPI-1-20061011-15043600-bc-us-choppercrash.xml
Helicopter crashes into N.Y. high-rise
NEW YORK, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- New York fire officials say a small aircraft crashed into a Manhattan high-rise apartment building near Rockefeller University Tuesday.
CNN reports several apartments about halfway up the approximately 20-story building fully engulfed in flames. Smoke was pouring out the side of the building.
There was no immediate word on injuries or what caused the crash.
From http://www.sciencedaily.com/upi/?feed=TopNews&article=UPI-1-20061011-15285300-bc-us-choppercrash-1stld.xml
Small aircraft crashes into N.Y. high-rise
NEW YORK, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- New York fire officials say a small aircraft crashed Wednesday into a Manhattan high-rise apartment building near Rockefeller University.
CNN reports several apartments about two-thirds of the way up the 50-story Belaire Apartments were fully engulfed in flames. Debris rained down after the crash.
The Federal Aviation Administration described the aircraft as a small fixed-wing plane. It was flying on visual flight rules and not in contact with nearby LaGuardia Airport.
A witness told Fox News she saw a plane that looked like it was doing acrobatics disappear behind the building.
Another witness told CNN there was a huge fireball.
From http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,219921,00.html
The Federal Aviation Administration said that the small aircraft was fixed wing, but earlier reports indicated that it may have been a small helicopter.
From http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/breaking_news/15733668.htm
"I just saw something come across the sky and crash into that building," she said. Cha said there appeared to be smoke coming from behind the aircraft, and "it looked like it was flying erraticaly for the short time that I saw it."
From http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15223650/
Williams reported that, according to New York investigators, the aircraft was flying at 800 feet when it made a radical turn and crashed. WNBC reported two bodies found on the ground, one of which was strapped to an aircraft chair. Two bodies were also found in an apartment in the building, the TV station said.
Ok so it seems that initial reports kept saying helicopter, and suddenly all the news services are switching to small plane. Also, people reported that it made an erratic turn and crashed, and at least one witness saw smoke coming out of it as it was flying. I'm curious if these things will be changed in the next hours or days. What of the initial reports will very soon disappear and never be seen again? What will be embellished? What will be the focus of all media attention, and what will the final "official story" be? I think it's important that everyone looks for all the initial reports possible and reads them as they come in, the earliest reports and what eyewitnesses said. Because for some of them, it may be the last time those things are said or seen in any mainstream media, and some covered up like it never existed. Perhaps not, but this is what happened to 911, so I'm curious what this one will end up "officially".
