Oct. 10, 2006 – Upper East Side
Yankee pitcher Corey Lidle is suspected dead today after his small, private plane crashed into a high-rise building on East 72nd St. this afternoon. Mayor Bloomberg confirmed that two passengers, a flight instructor and student pilot with approximately 75 logged hours of experience, died in the crash. Names of the victims will not be released until family is notified. Eleven firefighters are being treated for minor injuries. Miraculously, however, there were no other injuries or fatalities.
It is confirmed that the plane, a Cirrus SR20, was registered to Lidle. It was later confirmed by an on-duty police officer speaking on the condition of anonymity, that Lidle’s passport was found among the wreckage.
At least 2 residents of the building off York Avenue were home when the plane hit. They made a narrow escape as pieces of metal and debris exploded into their apartment windows. Residents were initially restricted from the building due to safety concerns, but were allowed to return to their homes at approximately 6PM.
It is still unclear what caused the plane to crash. Witnesses report that the plane was swerving and making noise when it hit. “I heard a whistling, like a car losing control,” said witness Diane Tarantini. Another witness, Anthony Francavilla said, “I’ve been around planes, it definitely sounded like that engine was in distress.”
Luis Gonzalez was working on a home improvement project a few floors above the crash.
“It was coming straight at us, I saw the pilot. I thought my life was over,” he said. Gonzalez and his 3 colleagues were able to escape the burning building quickly. By the time they got downstairs, flaming debris littered the smoke filled streets.
“The whole sky went completely black. Fire was shooting out of the windows,” said actress Jill Helene. “I thought, ‘Oh my gosh! I hope no one was home.”
According to Mayor Bloomberg, the flight left Teterboro Airport at approximately 2:29PM, circled the Statue of Liberty twice, and was flying north up the East River when it lost radar contact around the 59th Street Bridge. The crash was called into 911 just minutes after takeoff at a 2:42PM.
Lidle was profiled by The New York Times just last month. The story focused on his passion for flying. He earned his pilot’s license and had seven months experience at the time. Ironically, Lidle discussed safety concerns saying, “Ninety-nine percent of pilots that go up never have engine failure, and the 1 percent that do usually land it.” Lidle leaves behind a wife and a son, who turned 6 years old last month. He was acquired by the Yankees on July 30 and was in the last year of his contract.
