The Big Apple's Brush with Birdstrikes: A Not-So-Feathery Tale
New York City, the city that never sleeps, is also a city that's seen its fair share of close calls with runaway airplanes. But how many times has the Big Apple actually gotten a taste of metal wings? Buckle up, folks, and prepare for a crash course (pun intended) in NYC's not-so-frequent flyer program.
The Not-So-Grand Theft Auto: It's a Bird, It's a Plane...It's a Bomber?!
The most infamous incident, of course, is September 11th, 2001. A day that forever changed the landscape of the city and the world. This horrific event involved two hijacked airplanes and the tragic loss of countless lives.
But what many folks might not know is that this wasn't the first time a plane decided to play real estate agent in NYC. In 1945, a B-25 Mitchell bomber, lost in thick fog, smacked into the Empire State Building, then the world's tallest skyscraper. Thankfully, the building's sturdy frame took the brunt of the blow, and the city was back in business by Monday morning (New Yorkers are a tough bunch).
Hold on, wasn't there another one? You got a good memory there, champ! There was a mid-air collision between two private planes over NYC in 1960. Thankfully, the burning debris missed the skyscrapers, but sadly, it resulted in fatalities on the ground.
So, how many crashes are we talking about here? Adding it all up, we're looking at a total of 2 plane crashes directly into buildings and 1 mid-air collision that rained fiery bits down on the city. Not exactly a regular occurrence, thankfully!
Why Don't the Birds Just Chill Out?
There are a few reasons why these crashes are so rare:
- Stricter regulations: Since the early mishaps, air traffic control has gotten a whole lot stricter. Those pilots are on a leash these days!
- Better technology: Fancy new gadgets in airplanes help them avoid bumping into buildings (or each other).
- Maybe the pigeons made a deal with the pilots? Hey, a city can dream!
Frequently Asked Questions (Because Apparently People Are Curious About This Stuff)
How to avoid being hit by a plane in NYC? The chances are incredibly slim, but just in case, staying indoors during a dense fog might be a good idea.
How to become a pilot and avoid crashing into buildings? Pay attention in flight school, don't fly through fog, and maybe avoid hijackings if you can.
How to tell the difference between a bird and a plane? Birds are usually smaller and don't have flashing red lights.
How to rebuild after a plane crash? New Yorkers are resilient. They'll dust themselves off, grab a bagel, and get back to work.
How to make this whole thing less scary? Read this post again, but this time focus on the funny parts (there probably aren't any, but hey, humor is subjective!).
