A single engine plane slammed into a 41-story Bank of America skyscraper in Tampa, Florida on Saturday, according to CNN. The pilot of the stolen plane, a high school student, died in the midst of the crash.
The plane struck the building near its 23rd and 24th floors, leaving windows on at least two stories shattered. Even though there were fuel leaks, no fires erupted and the structure remained in tact, according to city fire and police officials.
The ninth grader boarded the Cesna 172 at St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport and then took off. Pinellas County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Greg Tita said that they believe he departed without receiving flight approval. As the plane took off, air-traffic control alerted the U.S. coast guard. They sent their helicopter to intercept the small plane, and signaled it to land at an airport south of Tampa. However, according to witnesses, the plane hit the building, without appearing to make attempts to avoid it.
This event occurred at the same time two other small aircraft crashed in other parts of the United States, but Authorities reported that they found no connection between the events. Scott McClellan, White House Deputy Press Secretary told reporters that "None of the incidents appear to be related, and there is no indication of terrorism".
Two F-15, part of the 125th Fighter Wing based in a Miami Air Force base, were also sent to the scene. They arrived within moments, but not before the Cessna had crashed, according to Capt. Richard Bittner, the base's public information officer.
Commercial airports in both Tampa and St. Petersburg temporarily suspended operations following the event.
The pilot had taken flying classes for two years, Tita said. He was "pre-flight authorized", which indicates he was authorized to do a pre-flight check but not to get into the plane alone, said a government transportation official. Tita added that the 15-year-old teenager was at the airport, accompanied by his mother and grandmother, performing a pre-flight check when he got into the plane and took off.
The National Transportation Safety Board plans on thoroughly investigating the incident. (Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
