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The aircraft, a Beechcraft A36TC Bonanza registered as N347M and owned by Jam Zoom Yayos LLC, went down near Fairview Drive and Meadowview Court in Manheim Township at 3:18 p.m., according to emergency dispatchers. The 1981-manufactured plane had five occupants, all of whom survived but sustained injuries of varying severity.
Crash Details
Officials confirmed the aircraft crashed into the Brethren Village Retirement Community in Lititz before exploding upon impact. The plane skidded approximately 100 feet after hitting the ground and bursting into flames. While no one on the ground was injured, five cars in the Brethren Village parking lot were severely damaged, and 12 vehicles total sustained damage in the crash.
Authorities said the exact amount of fuel onboard is unknown, but they believe the tank was full, as the plane had just taken off minutes before crashing.
Flight and ATC Communications
Flight data from FlightAware shows the aircraft departed Lancaster Airport (LNS) at 3:26 p.m. and was bound for Springfield Airport (SGH) in Ohio. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot reported an open door and requested to return for landing.
According to air traffic control (ATC) recordings, the tower asked if the pilot preferred runway 31 or 26. The pilot responded, “Tower, I cannot… with the wind, so we are going to return to 26, we are going to need a downwind.” The controller cleared the landing, but that was the last transmission. The tower then instructed, "Bonanza 347M pull up!", moments before the crash.
ADS-B data indicates the aircraft entered a climbing left turn before descending into the retirement community’s parking lot, where it crashed and caught fire.
Response and Investigation
Winds at the time were from 260° at 17 knots, gusting up to 30 knots, with a temperature of 12°C and an altimeter setting of 29.88 inches of mercury.
Hazmat crews, fire police, and multiple emergency response units—including Crash 97, Chief 20, Deputy 20, and Engine 201—rushed to the scene. Route 501 remains shut down in both directions. The fire was marked under control as of 6:15 p.m.
The Pennsylvania State Police are assisting local first responders, Governor Josh Shapiro said. All Commonwealth resources are available to support the response efforts, and more information will be provided as it becomes available, he said.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that the Beechcraft Bonanza crashed around 3 p.m. local time and said it will investigate the incident.
The National Transportation Safety Board has opened an investigation and will work with the FAA, which has personnel on the ground conducting documentation and an initial examination, NTSB told Daily Voice. However, the NTSB does not plan to send an investigator to the scene at this time.
The condition of the identities and status of the five patients is unknown at the time of publishing. Check back here for possible updates.
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