What happened
On the afternoon of July 28, 1945, a B-25 Mitchell bomber operated by the United States Army Air Forces was en route to Boston from LaGuardia Airport. The aircraft encountered dense fog over New York City, severely limiting visibility for the pilots. Believing they had reached their destination, the crew attempted to land at what they thought was Logan International Airport.
Instead, the plane struck the north side of the Empire State Building approximately 79 stories above street level. The impact caused a massive fire that burned for several hours before being extinguished. Despite the severity of the collision and the resulting blaze, the structural integrity of the skyscraper remained intact, preventing a catastrophic collapse.
Investigation
The accident was attributed to navigational error under adverse weather conditions. The pilot failed to identify the correct airport due to the thick fog, leading to the premature descent into the urban environment. No mechanical failure or enemy action was cited as a factor in the crash.
Findings
The collision resulted in 14 fatalities and an estimated 24 injuries. Among those killed were three members of the flight crew and eleven occupants within the building, including an elevator operator who was trapped in the shaft. The total property damage was assessed at approximately US$1 million, a substantial sum for the era, though it did not threaten the stability of the iconic structure.