MANHEIM TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WPVI) — Officials are investigating after a small plane went down near a retirement village in Lancaster county.

According to authorities all five passengers on board were rushed to local hospitals, luckily no one on the ground was hurt.

Thick Black smoke and raging flames filled the air after a small plane with five people on board crashed shortly after taking off from the Lancaster Airport.

“Obviously they had heavy fire upon arrival from the aircraft and had to extinguish at this point it’s under control and fire is all out,” explained Fire Chief Manheim Township Fire, Scott Little.

Out of caution Brethren Retirement Village issued a shelter in place, the plane luckily did not crash into any buildings.

12 cars were damaged due to the crash.

“At no point was anyone on the ground injured at no point did the plane or aircraft strike the structure,” noted Duane Fisher the Chief of Police for Manheim Township.

Officials said the plane skidded roughly 100 feet after making impact with the ground.

Prior to all of this- the pilot radios air traffic control to return to the airport because a door was left open on the plane. They respond with asking the pilot to pull up.

In a matter of seconds the plane crashes- officials are now waiting to hear from federal partners regarding next steps while acknowledging today could have been more catastrophic.

“I don’t know if I consider a miracle but the fact we have a plane crash where everybody survives and nobody on the ground is hurt is a wonderful thing,” said Chief Fisher.

The NTSB and the FAA are also investigating.

Three of the patients were transported to Lehigh Valley Health Network’s burn center. Two victims are being treated at Lancaster General Hospital.

Copyright © 2025 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.