That Time A B-25 Bomber Crashed Into The Empire State Building

On the foggy morning of July 28, 1945, a B-25 Mitchell bomber collided with the Empire State Building in one of the most shocking aviation accidents in U.S. history.

Piloted by Lt. Col. William F. Smith Jr., the B-25 was en route from Massachusetts to Newark Airport. Ignoring warnings of low visibility from LaGuardia’s tower, Smith pressed on. Disoriented by dense fog, he mistook the East River for the Hudson and turned straight into Manhattan’s skyline. Witnesses from nearby buildings watched in horror as the bomber, traveling at 200 mph, climbed slightly but struck the Empire State Building between the 78th and 79th floors at an altitude of 913 feet.

The crash caused an intense fire and structural damage, claiming 14 lives, including all three crew members aboard. Debris scattered, leaving a massive hole in the building’s north facade, while flames engulfed parts of the 79th and 80th floors. Emergency crews responded quickly, extinguishing the fire and rescuing survivors.

Despite the devastation, the Empire State Building proved its structural resilience, reopening just two days later.

An investigation attributed the tragedy to poor visibility, navigational limitations, and Smith’s decision to continue flying. The incident spurred reforms in aviation regulations, particularly in instrument training and safety procedures, to prevent such accidents in the future.