Aftermath of the Empire State Building B-25 crash Firemen clear debris after an unarmed U.S. Army Air Forces B-25 bomber on a transport mission became lost in heavy fog and accidentally crashed into the north side of the Empire State Building on July 28, 1945. (more) Empire State Building B-25 crash aviation accident [1945] Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/event/Empire-State-Building-B-25-crash Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

　　External Websites Ask the Chatbot a Question Written by Fid Backhouse and others Fid Backhouse is one of several contributors to 501 Most Devastating Disasters. Their work appears in Encyclopaedia Britannica as part of a joint publishing agreement with the publisher of 501... Fid Backhouse and others Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Aug 21, 2025 • Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot Empire State Building B-25 crash, accident on July 28, 1945, in which an unarmed U.S. Army Air Forces B-25 bomber on a routine transport trip crashed into the north side of New York City’s Empire State Building while flying in thick fog. The plane broke up and started a fire, and the accident killed 14 people: all 3 of those on the plane and 11 in the building. Though a great deal of damage occurred, the building’s structural integrity remained intact. Lieutenant Colonel William F. Smith, Jr., was an experienced and highly decorated pilot. He had a few days earlier ...(100 of 565 words)

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