30 Captivating Images from the Historic Moment a Bomber Collided with the Empire State Building
When reflecting on New York City and tragic events involving planes and skyscrapers, the unforgettable day of September 11th immediately comes to mind. However, it may come as a surprise to some that this was not the first time a plane had collided with the city's tallest building.
56 years prior, on July 28th, 1945, a B-25 United States Army Air Force Mitchell bomber found itself lost in dense fog over Manhattan and tragically crashed into the north side of the Empire State Building's 79th floor. The impact resulted in the loss of fourteen lives, including three airmen and eleven civilians who were working in the offices of the War Relief Services and National Catholic Welfare Council.
The devastation caused by the crash was immense, with one of the plane's engines piercing through the building and plummeting 900 feet into a nearby building. The other engine severed elevator cables, leading to a miraculous survival story of elevator operator Betty Oliver, who survived a 75-story fall, the highest ever recorded.
Despite the chaos and destruction, the New York Fire Department managed to extinguish the fire at the Empire State Building in just 40 minutes, marking it as the highest fire they had ever successfully put out. Remarkably, the building was reopened for business within 48 hours after undergoing rapid repairs.
The images captured from the aftermath of this tragic event offer a haunting glimpse into the resilience and strength of New York City in the face of adversity.
