Breaking…

“A small aircraft crashed into a high-rise on the Upper East Side, setting off a fire and startling New Yorkers, police said. There were conflicting reports on whether the aircraft was a small plane or a helicopter.
Fire Department spokeswoman Emily Rahimi said an aircraft struck struck the 20th floor of a building on East 72nd Street. Witnesses said the crash caused a loud noise, and burning and falling debris was seen. Flames were seen shooting out of the windows. Video from the scene showed at least three apartments in the high rise fully engulfed in flames.

“There’s huge pieces of debris falling,” said one witness who refused to give her full name. “There’s so much falling now, I’ve got to get away.”

Whether anyone was injured was not known, and it was unclear if the crash was an act of terrorism.

The address of the building is 524 E. 72nd Street _ a 50-story condominium tower built in 1986 and located nearby Sotheby’s Auction House. It has 183 apartments, many of which sell for more than $1 million.

Via sources within the bureau not a suspected terrorist attack, however the FBI is still reponding to the scene. More to come.

UPDATE: More from MSNBC:

“There was no immediate word on any deaths or injuries or whether residents were home at the time of the crash. Officials at the Federal Aviation Administration and the FBI said there was no reason to believe the incident was terrorism-related.

Nonetheless, a military official at NORAD said that as an extra measure of security, there were “numerous fighter jet patrols” over several U.S. cities.”

UPDATE II: Hot Air with more updates and round ups. Allah says multiple sources said it was a helicopter. Suitecases also on the sidewalk. Looks like an accident.

UPDATE III: Via Fox, two deaths confirmed. FAA (via Fox), “A helicopter would be expected in that area of the city; no other aircraft should be around that part of Manhattan”

UPDATE IV: Reports that the plane was registered to a Yankee’s pitcher, Cory Lidle, who was piloting the plane which he just bought recently - that’s been confirmed he has perished. That would leave another fatality. Lidle is married and has one child.

More confirmations on Lidle, four bodies found, two in the apartment, two on the street. Lidle’s passport discovered.

ESPN confirms:

” A small plane piloted by New York Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle crashed into a 50-story condominium tower Wednesday on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, killing at least four people, authorities said.

Lidle died in the crash.”

UPDATE V: More information at Wizbang.

UPDATE VI: A Real Putz.