81 Years Ago, a Pilot Crashed a B-25 Into the Empire State…

Aircraft New York City New York in New York City, New York: On June 24, 2026, a 27-year-old West Point graduate flying a B-25 bomber in fog crashed into the north side of the Empire State Building between the 79th and 80th floors at 9:49 a.m. The collision created an 18-foot-wide hole, ignited a fire, and killed 14 people, including 11 inside the building (nine office workers, a janitor, and an elevator operator) and all three aboard the plane. The crash occurred on a Saturday, limiting casualties because many office workers were off. The building maintained its structural integrity despite the damage, which required a $1 million repair.