Small aircraft hits NY, not terrorism-official

NEW YORK, Oct 12: A small aircraft crashed into a building on Manhattan's Upper East Side today, but a US official said there was no evidence it was terrorism-related.

The Federal Aviation Administration said it was not clear whether the craft was a helicopter or a small plane, but the New York Fire Department identified it as a helicopter.

The crash occurred at East 72nd St and York Avenue, near the East River.

''I have no reason to believe at this point that the crash in New York City is terrorism-related,'' said a US official who declined to be identified.

The images of fire and smoke pouring out of the windows of a high rise building evoked images of the hijack plane attacks of September 11, 2001.

CNN, citing a police source, said the craft hit a 20-story residential building.

Several helicopters have crashed over the years into or near the rivers flanking Manhattan.

REUTERS

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