Plane crashes in retirement community’s parking lot in Pennsylvania: officials

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Plane crashes in Pennsylvania retirement community’s parking lot

A plane carrying five people crashed in the parking lot of the Brethren Village retirement community near Lititz, Pennsylvania, on Mar. 9. The FAA is investigating the incident. (Credit: Joseph W. Smith Jr. via Facebook)

A plane crashed in the parking lot of a Pennsylvania retirement community on Sunday afternoon, injuring an unknown number of people.

The crash happened at Brethren Village in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. A security official, who witnessed a fireball and saw black smoke emitting from the aircraft, confirmed the incident to Fox News Digital.

Five people were aboard the plane, though officials have not commented on potential injuries or fatalities. Lititz resident Joseph Smith told Fox News Digital that the aircraft took off from nearby Lancaster Airport before it quickly crashed. 

“[It] immediately went down within 30 seconds after it took off,” the local said.

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The crash happened at Brethren Village in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. (Joseph W. Smith Jr. via Facebook)

Smith, who witnessed the chaos in the parking lot from across the street, said that the area smelled strongly of fuel.

“The smell of [fuel] hung in the air as they worked to get it under control,” he described.

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The FAA is actively investigating the plane crash. (Joseph W. Smith Jr. via Facebook)

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also confirmed the crash to Fox News Digital on Sunday.

“A Beechcraft Bonanza crashed in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, around 3 p.m. local time on Sunday, March 9,” the statement read. “Five people were on board. The FAA will investigate.”

A plane carrying five people crashed in the parking lot of the Brethren Village retirement community near Lititz, Pennsylvania, on Mar. 9. (WPMT)

Governor Josh Shapiro confirmed on social media Sunday that he was aware of the incident, and said that Pennsylvania State Police officials were responding.

“Our team at @PAStatePolice is on the ground assisting local first responders following the small private plane crash near Lancaster Airport in Manheim Township,” Shapiro’s post read. “All Commonwealth resources are available as the response continues, and more information will be provided as it becomes available.”

Five people were onboard the plane when it went down right after take off in Pennsylvania. (Joseph W. Smith Jr. via Facebook)

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Authorities are actively investigating the incident. Fox News Digital reached out to the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office, Lancaster Airport and the Pennsylvania State Police for additional information.

Fox News Digital’s Brooke Curto contributed to this report.

Andrea Margolis is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. Readers can follow her on X at @andreamargs or send story tips to andrea.margolis@fox.com.