A plane crashed in Queens, in the Rockaway area. So far not a lot of information, except that so far it looks like an engine fell off the plane. They don't think it's a terrorist thing right now.

But... don't we have someone who lives in that area? Arnie, maybe - I'm really bad at remembering these things. They are saying a number of homes were hit, and that it doesn't look good if anyone was at home in them......anyone know anything?

Just a side note - is anyone else really, really, REALLY ready for 2001 to be OVER already? Maybe a new year will bring new luck - I think we could all use it.

Update (I'm sitting here with the tv on right behind me):

They are saying 8 - 9 homes hit. All occupants of at least one of the homes that took a direct hit did get out.

Also, the FBI is saying that they believe there was an explosion on board the plane - that still does not mean terrorists, because it could still be maintenance, but.... Obviously, there will be a lot of investigation.

So far, only the NY airports have been closed.

Yeah, Kim, 2001 has been way too "interesting." Awash in adrenalin.

Yes Kim, we are gonna need all the luck we can muster.......I can't say I'm ready for 02, but time seems like a jet-plane at this stage in my life...

nuthin can do about it!

Ok - now they are reporting that the report of an explosion was wrong. So far, everything is pointing to just a tragic accident.

Such a sad day for NYC. It seems to sink in quicker after 9/11. So many kids not in school, today. VERY sad.

*Arnie check in!?

*I'm skeptical about it being an accident (too many coinsodances)? But will have to wonder, untill the facts come in.

When something first occurs, everyone scrambles for some sort of explanation. It's too early to know exactly what happened, and more importantly, why it all happened. I watch World News Tonight with Peter Jennings each night, so maybe by then they will be able to confirm something. Anything.

My sympathies to the victims' families.

so sad to think that some families, in that Queens neighborhood, may have lost people in the WTC.
It's odd how we are all more connected, yet still distant. With TV, we can see.. & with Internet, we can communucate, instantly, but can't reach out, to hug, can't smell the jet fuel, can't wipe tears away....

I took off today, and didn't hear of the incident until around noon... the plane crashed into the southern tip of queens, an area called Far Rockaway... about 15 miles to my west. It's a working class community, and filled with alot of people who were directly affected by the WTC disaster, so of course their first instincts tell them that this must be another attack... unfortunately, absent of any direct information, it's probably a nasty, untimely accident, and nothing more... The only one's who'll suffer as much as the victims of this disaster, will be the airlines... just another nail in their coffin...
The scarey part to me, is that I have friends who are scheduled to go to the Domincan Republic next weekend! (that's where this flight was headed)

thanks for your concern... I think just living within 50 miles of NYC these days is an adventure of the sort that I didn't sign up for. 2002, where are you?

Well, if nothing else, it is good to "hear" from you, Arnie. That was the main reason I posted this - not that I'm not concerned about all the people this has/will affect, but you know how it goes - the first thing we do is check on those that are close to us.

And 15 miles...whew. Still close, huh? Not that you don't feel very bad for the people where it did hit - let alone the people on the plane, and their families - but somehow you still can't help but have that "man, that was close" feeling.

Glad things are ok Arnie!!!!

I know we're supposed to go on about our normal lives, and that this could just be an accident, but either way, I'm not flying anywhere anytime soon. Of course that is my normal life, so it's not hurting the airlines any, but as far as I'm concerned if man was meant to fly he'd have been born with jet engines in his armpits.

Anyway, whatever happened here, it's just another horror. I hope 2002 is better. Not sure it will be.

That's right, Arnie... glad you're OK.
15 miles is definitely too close!
What I saw on TV looked very bad.
My heart goes out to all the friends and relatives
who lost loved ones in this tragedy.

It's sad to think that not only is it 2 months to the day of the WTC/DC attacks when this thing occurred, but that neighborhood lost something like 70 people in those terrorist attacks, and now this. Planes hitting towers, planes falling out of the sky. I gotta start just turning off the news...(sigh)

PS---i have a longer post about this same topic in the Blunder Message Posts on www.arlo.net, I'm not plugging i just didnt' want to type it all over again here, but i'd be interested in anyone's thoughts on how the media has been responding to this particular incident. Thanks. My prayers are out there with the plane crash victims, and NYC, hit again with tragedy. <img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/frown.gif" width=15 height=15>

Glad Arnies okay. May 200 be better yr for us all esp those in NYC... <img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/peace.gif" width=16 height=16>