Small Plane Crashes Near Retirement Community in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

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A small plane crashed near a retirement community in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, on Sunday afternoon, causing a massive fire, authorities have confirmed.  

 Emergency Response Underway  

The Manheim Township police said emergency teams rushed to the scene after the plane went down. Though details about injuries or casualties are yet to be confirmed, local news station WGAL reported that multiple ambulances were present.  

Video footage from the crash site shows the wreckage engulfed in flames, with thick black smoke filling the air.  

 What We Know About the Plane  

According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the aircraft was a single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza carrying five people. It took off from Lancaster Airport at 3:26 p.m. ET and was headed to Springfield, Ohio, before the accident.  

Authorities, including the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), will investigate what caused the crash.  

Eyewitness Account  

A witness, Brian Pipkin, described the terrifying moment the plane went down.  

"It was pretty high, but then it started veering left. Suddenly, it nose-dived sideways while still turning left," Pipkin said.  

He rushed to the scene and saw the cockpit in flames, describing the heat as "like opening an oven set to 500 degrees."  

Several parked cars were hit by the plane and caught fire, Pipkin added.  

Officials React  

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro confirmed that state police are assisting local first responders. He also assured that all state resources are available to support the emergency response.  

This is a developing story. More details will be provided as they become available.