Lancaster County Plane Crash Leaves Five Injured

A March 2025 plane crash in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania left five people with injuries, according to a recent report from CBS Philadelphia.

The Lancaster County Crash

The plane, a six-seat 1981 Beechcraft Bonanza, took off from Lancaster Airport on its way to Springfield, Ohio. According to the Manheim Township Fire Department, the plane crashed into the parking lot of the Brethren Village Retirement Community in Lititz in the middle of the afternoon on March 10, 2025.

A preliminary Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigation determined that the crash was most likely an accident. The FAA reported that the five people on board the plane suffered minor injuries. The FAA listed the airplane as “destroyed.” 

The five people on board were taken to Lancaster General Hospital for treatment of their injuries following the crash. According to the hospital, three patients were transferred to the burn center at Lehigh Valley Health Network. The other two were released. 

No one on the ground appears to have suffered injuries. Twelve vehicles were damaged in the crash, however. At least five vehicles suffered severe damage. 

Recordings from air traffic control include the pilot saying “we have an open door” and stating a need to return to the airfield before the crash occurred. 

Environmental evaluations are currently underway at the crash site. Investigators are assessing the damage caused by a fuel spill from the aircraft during the crash. 

Common Causes of Plane Crashes

Small planes experience more crashes than large commercial planes, but any aircraft can be part of a plane crash. According to the FAA, the most common causes of airplane crashes include:

• Inadequate pre-flight preparation or flight planning,
• Failing to reach or maintain flying speed,
• Failing to maintain direction control,
• Leveling off improperly once in the air,
• Failing to spot and avoid objects or obstructions,
• Not managing fuel reserves properly,
• Improper in-flight planning or decisions,
• Judging distance and speed incorrectly,
• Taking off or landing from unsuitable terrain, and
• Improper operation of flight controls.

Much of a plane’s safe flight relies on the pilot. Pilots, however, rely on a team of experts to help ensure they can fly a plane safely. Ground crews responsible for airplane storage, maintenance, repair, and loading play a crucial role in airplane safety. Air traffic controllers also play a key role in providing the information pilots need to take off, fly, navigate, and land safely. 

Airline travelers also rely on infrastructure like airports, which can be an additional source of injury risks. Common injury causes at airports include:

• Car accidents while loading, unloading, or navigating parking lots, 
• Slip and fall injuries in airport concourses or terminals,
• Injuries on broken or defective escalators, walkways, benches, and other furnishings or equipment,
• Intentional harm inflicted by other travelers or visitors to an airport.

Many airplane-related injuries are preventable. If you’re injured in a plane crash, talk to an experienced attorney. 

What To Do If You’re Injured in a Plane Crash

As with any accident, safety is a top priority after a plane crash. The first thing to do is to protect your own safety and that of others at the scene. Call 911 or have someone else do so. Emergency first responders can secure the scene, provide essential medical care, address any safety issues, and document what happened. 

Get medical attention as soon as possible after an airplane or airport-related injury. In an emergency, you may receive emergency care at the scene or in a local hospital’s emergency department. Follow up with your doctors after receiving emergency care. 

If you didn’t receive emergency care, see a doctor as soon as possible. A medical professional can evaluate your injuries and prescribe appropriate treatment. A doctor will also record their findings, allowing you to demonstrate the type and extent of your injuries. 

Keep all the paperwork related to your injuries together in a safe place. Paperwork might include items like medical bills and receipts, notes from your doctor, accident reports from an airline or airport, and other bills and receipts. If you have digital versions of this paperwork, make a backup copy and store it with your paperwork. This information helps you and your attorney build a thorough case for compensation. 

If you or someone you love is injured in an airport or airplane crash, speak to an experienced attorney. The dedicated personal injury lawyers at MyPhillyLawyer can help you understand your legal rights and secure the compensation you and your family deserve. To learn more, contact us today.