81 Years Ago, a Pilot Tried to Outrun Bad Weather—And Crash…

Vehicle Fire New York City New York in New York City, New York: In 1945, a 27-year-old pilot flying a B-25 bomber on a transport mission crashed into the north side of the Empire State Building in Manhattan at 9:49 a.m. on a Saturday, creating an 18-foot-wide hole between the 79th and 80th floors and igniting a fire. Fourteen people were killed, including 11 inside the building (nine office workers, a janitor, and an elevator operator) and all three aboard the plane. The building remained structurally intact despite the impact and falling debris.