Buildings Collapsed Following Plane Crashes: Beyond the Twin Towers

While the collapse of the iconic Twin Towers on September 11, 2001, remains the most catastrophic event involving a plane crash into a building, it is not the only such incident in history. Several other cases have shown that while such collisions can cause severe damage, total building collapse is relatively rare.

Notable Plane Crashes into Buildings

The Pentagon: September 11, 2001

The Pentagon suffered a devastating impact on that fateful day in 2001 when American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into it. Although the damage was extensive and led to significant structural deformation, the building did not completely collapse. Reconstruction efforts were initiated promptly, and the building was restored to its former state.

The Empire State Building: July 28, 1945

In what might be one of the most dramatic stories of a plane crash into a building, a B-25 Mitchell bomber mistakenly flew into the Empire State Building. Built in 1931, the grandeur of the Empire State did not spare it from this unfortunate incident. Despite the impact, the building remained largely intact, although the crash resulted in casualties and extensive internal damage.

World Trade Center Building 7 (WTC 7): September 11, 2001

While not directly a result of a plane crash, WTC 7 collapsed on September 11, 2001. This collapse happened later during the day, due to fires ignited by the debris from the Twin Towers collapse. The event sparked much debate regarding the effects of fire on steel structures and raised questions about building resilience in such scenarios.

Historical Account: The Empire State Building Crash

On July 28, 1945, a B-25 Mitchell bomber, affectionately known as "Little Miss Pie," encountered a rarefied fog bank over New York City, which led it to veer off course and head towards the heart of Manhattan. The pilot, Captain Guy Rogers, intended to land at Newark Liberty Airport but was instead guided into the midst of the city. As the plane began to descend, the looming presence of the Empire State Building came into view, and panic ensued.

"Nanette Morrison was working in her office building when she heard a deafening roar. She looked out her window and saw the plane's propellers clearing the fog. The plane seemed to be so close she could step out onto the wing,"

Mrs. Morrison's vivid description gives us a sense of the closeness of this encounter. As the B-25 approached the building, Machinist Kate Pera, working in an adjacent building, realized the gravity of the situation. She shouted, "LOOK OUT LOOK OUT!" The plane's windshield was filled with the sheer bulk of the Empire State Building.

Colonel William Franklin Smith, a combat veteran, attempted an emergency maneuver but it was too late. He crashed directly into the building, killing himself, his crew, and several individuals inside the building. At the time, the impact was so violent that it burst through the elevator shaft on the 79th floor, causing the elevator car operator, Betty Lou Oliver, to plummet 1,000 feet, surviving with only minor injuries.

Conclusion

These events serve as stark reminders of the fragility of our built environments when faced with extreme circumstances. Contractors, architects, and city planners must continuously assess and improve building design and safety measures to mitigate the risks posed by potential plane strikes. The success of these buildings in weathering such catastrophic events points to the importance of robust construction and adherence to safety standards.