Small Aircraft Crashes Into Federal Reserve Bank Building

FOX NEWS 7 - MIAMI ^ | 12/6/2002 | FOX NEWS- MIAMI

[CreekerFreeper]

MIAMI -- A small plane crashed into the Federal Reserve Bank Building at NW 41 Street and 90 Avenue near Doral in Miami earlier tonight, killing the pilot and forcing the evacuation of more than 100 people attending a holiday season party, authorities said. No one inside the building was injured.

Officials say the plane approached the one-story building from the north and struck the front of the building at 8:37 p.m. It then exploded and burst into flames. The aircraft was described as a small single-engine plane, possibly an experimental aircraft.

A fire broke out, but there appeared to be no structural damage to the building. Some windows were broken and some charring was seen. The building is about 3 miles west of Miami International Airport.

"When we first came out of and walked around the side, it was really hard to determine that it was a plane," said vice president and branch manager Jay Curry, who was attending the party at the time of the crash.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue were quick to respond to the scene and they put down foam on the area to contain the fire.

Miami International is close by, but "typically this type of plane would not be in this vicinity at this trajectory," said Miami-Dade County Fire Rescue spokesman Louie Fernandez said. It was too early to tell if the crash was deliberate, "but we're going to examine every angle," he said.

There is a helicopter landing pad on the other side of the Federal Reserve Building so police say the small plane may have been trying to land in the area.

At least one person has been confirmed dead. No word if any other bodies have been recovered.

The National Transportation Safety Board will be investigating the crash, said Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen.

The building also houses the Miami bureau of The Associated Press.

There are some road closures in the area. Police have blocked off the road at 107th Avenue.

Stay tuned to WSVN Channel 7 for more on this developing story.

[Fred Mertz]

Well, since you put it that way, I'm not so sure what happened now.

[anymouse]

al Qaeda Air Force at work again?

[ikka]

"When we first came out of and walked around the side, it was really hard to determine that it was a plane," said vice president and branch manager Jay Curry, who was attending the party at the time of the crash.

THE COVERUP AND LIES BEGIN

An earlier article explicitly mentioned a board of directors meeting occurring at the time of the crash. This is not mentioned ONCE in this new story.

[NRA2BFree]

Well, since you put it that way, I'm not so sure what happened now.

Oh not to worry, Big Brother will have it all worked out by morning so we can eat the story with our breakfast. Aren't you happy they take such good care of us? What would we do without their help? </ sarcasm>

[weikel]

Okay McVeigh was framed but I do tend to suspect this was an act by a "Bircher on Steroids" type.

[flamefront]

I am waiting for any reports concerning emergency radio contact ... heard anything yet? If not, then you know what happened.

[flamefront]

From this AP report in the Journal Gazette and Times-Courier

The plane crashed about three miles west of Miami International Airport, and the pilot contacted air traffic controllers there, airport spokeswoman Tere Estorino said. Airport officials previously reported they were not contacted.

The aircraft, a Four Winds 192 made in July, was flying north before making a sharp turn southeast and crashing, said Alan Yurman, spokesman for the National Transportation Safety Board.

Witnesses did not report seeing smoke from the engine, he said.

"One of the witnesses said they saw it at about 500 feet and it was wobbly," said Alan Yurman. The pilot, who was the only one aboard, has not been identified, Yurman said.

The FBI was keeping in close contact with investigators, said FBI Miami spokeswoman Judy Orihuela.

[Lilly]

..."that's beggin' for a nukin!"


ROFLMBO!!!!!!!!!!


Agreed!

[anobjectivist]

Riiiight. And even if it was a small, experimental model, that doesn't exlude it from being stolen and used as a bomb with a propeller.

[kinghorse]

It's kind of humorous if someone was actually targeting a Fed governor. It's not like some joker off the street couldn't do just as good a job. Sheesh, like I said earlier I expect a raiding party of camoflaged mexican wrestling masked ME specops to attack Mt. Rushmore or maybe the Grand Canyon. Huh?

[FreedomFlyer]

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/4677170.htm

"...The plane, a four-seater, was registered June 26 and belonged to AAA Aircraft Leasing of New Smyrna Beach, near Daytona Beach, according to FAA records...."

So who leased it from AAA Aircraft Leasing, or if it wasn't leased out to anyone, who are the principals of AAA Aircraft Leasing?

[C210N]

Maybe the pilot knew how to take off, cruise in level flight,
climb and descend, but never learned to land. Its my understanding that some folks learning to fly in the Florida region are taught everything, except how to land...

[Alamo-Girl]

Jeepers! Thanks for the heads up!

[Fred Mertz]

Who was the pilot?

[DannyTN]

I'm surprised they haven't released the guy's name yet.

2 to 1 it's Mohammed.

But I'm also surprised they haven't profiled him as a middle age white American guy, while they are waiting for the name to be released.

[Libertina]

Only when they publish the pilot's name/nationality (real one) can I agree with your assessment.