The Anchoress

The FAA is saying it’s an aircraft that crashed was a “fixed-wing aircraft,” NOT a helicopter, flying in a corridor over the East River, which is primarily used by helicopters, but small planes are also allowed. The aircraft was flying under VFR visual flight rules (VFR) which means it was not in contact with air traffic control, and was not required to be (because it was flying under VFR.)

FAA clarifies that: The airspace over the building is NOT part of the corridor so a fixed-wing aircraft should not have been flying where the crash occurred.

There is an unattributable report that fighter jets are scrambling in NYC, Boston and DC.

The FBI is on the scene and saying that there is no indication at this moment that this is a terrorist incident. Eyewitnesses are saying it WAS a helicopter.

But one has to wonder: it’s fairly clear out, and this plane hit high in the building where it is difficult for Emergency and Rescue people to work effectively. Is this a diversionary tactic? Get everyone looking and working on one end of town while something is unleashed elsewhere in the city?

At least I HOPE NYC is thinking this way, and is staying on alert for other problems. Will keep a running update as news comes in.

Pajamas Media is covering. Looks to be an accident. Burning luggage seen. I don’t think terrorists pack bags. Interesting to see how quickly the market tumbled and then recovered when things were unknown. Lots of lessons here for both the nation and the terrorists to ponder, I guess. The good news is the First Responders were - per eyewitnesses - fast to the scene and exemplary in performing their duties.

UPDATE 3:40PM : FAA has put a TFR (temporary flight restriction) in place, which it extends up to 1,500 feet in a one-mile radius around the crash. No airports ordered closed yet.

UPDATE: 3:55PM: US Northern Command says they’ve been in contact with coalition partners around the world; there is no indication that there is anything under foot beyond this one aircraft. “We reserve the right to exercise our capabilities which is what we have done here”

UPDATE: 4:15PM: FAA Clarification: The VFR corridor along the East River is eight miles long and has been in place since the 1980s. In the corridor, aircraft are not permitted to fly above 1,100 feet and, again, they are permitted to fly under visual flight rules and not be in contact with air traffic control. To be clear, the corridor is over the river — The airspace over the building is NOT part of the corridor so a fixed-wing aircraft should not have been flying where the crash occurred. (emphasis mine - admin)

UPDATE 4:41 PM: A Yankee Connection? Some reports now that the plane was owned by Yankees Pitcher Cory Lidle. No word if he was on the plane. I thought most ballplayers time-shared their planes? The plane was registered to Yankees pitcher Cory Lidle. The plane took off from Teterboro, NJ at 2:30. It was a Cirrus SR20, a four-seat aircraft. No confirmation yet. Yankees not confirming yet, will not go on tape to confirm. ESPN is reporting Lidle is dead.

Also writing: John Stephenson
Ace is looking around the internet.
Some interesting tidbits on this thread at Ldot, such as:
Female witness just interviewed seeing the plane doing acrobatics in the middle of downtown NYC…says this is the plane b/c she saw it go into the area behind the building, then heard the crash.