Airplane has Crashed into Garage in Mills, Harrison Township, PA (UPDATED)

Twin engine aircraft slams into garage, igniting it

MILLS, HARRISON TOWNSHIP, PA – A small twin engine private airplane carrying four passengers crashed into an unoccupied garage in Mills, PA at 4:16 p.m. this afternoon.

State Police in Coudersport say all four occupants were able to extricate themselves from the wreckage before the garage they crashed into ignited, becoming fully engulfed in flames.

The pilot, Thomas P. Anticola, age 62, of Lancaster, NY, and his three passengers; Keith E. Zittel, 51, of Niagra Falls, NY; David W. Kennedy, 47, of Hamburg, NY; and Paul B. Seegar, 44, of North Tonowanda, NY all survived the crash.

Family members told CoudyNews the airplane crashed directly into the garage, narrowly escaping power lines. Witnesses say passengers in the aircraft exited through the rear of the garage, before the garage burst into flames.

Witnesses said it was a “miracle” they survived the crash.

Three of the occupants, including the pilot, were transported to Charles Cole Memorial Hospital for treatment of moderate injuries. The fourth occupant was flown by medical helicopter from the scene for treatment of serious injuries.

Several custom cars housed in the garage were completely destroyed in the crash, including a 1934 Chevy Coupe, a 1946 Chevy truck, and a 1979 Chevy Corvette, all said to have been hand restored by the garage owner.

Officials say the crew was flying from Delaware to Buffalo, NY. Others have reported the plane was flying the other direction; from Buffalo to Delaware. The plane’s flight plan confirms the plane originally took off from Buffalo and was on a return flight from Delaware to Buffalo when the crash happened.

Officials say the Civil Air Patrol out of Wellsboro assumed control of the scene once the fire was secured.

FAA officials will be conducting a thorough investigation into the crash, say police.

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Update: Route 49 is shutdown in both directions. Reports indicate roadways are extremely slippery.

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At 6:30 pm we have received unofficial reports that all passengers have survived.

Update: 5:36 pm: MercyFlight has been re-routed to rendezvous with patient at Charles Cole Memorial Hospital. Westfield Fire Department with a HAZMAT trailer has been dispatched to the scene. Fire personnel from Clymer have been dispatched to standby in Galeton.

Update: Location of crash is Mills, PA, Harrison Township. One patient to be transferred via medical helicopter to Charles Cole Memorial Hospital in Coudersport. Another patient will be taken by ambulance to Jones Memorial in Wellsville. No information on the remaining passengers at this time.

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Update 4:55 pm: MercyFlight is available to fly and has been dispatched to Northern Potter High School.

An engine from Galeton has been dispatched to standby in Harrison Valley.

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Update: A twin engine airplane has crashed into a garage at 300 Johnson Road in Mills, PA. The garage is reported to be engulfed in flames.

Initial reports indicate 5 passengers aboard a twin engine plane. Four of those passengers have suffered severe chest trauma, with one reported to have less severe, but critical injuries.

Additional personnel have been dispatched to the scene, including Medic 700 and Medic 1.

Medical helicopters are grounded due to the weather.

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We have received reports that some type of aircraft has crashed into a structure in Harrison Valley.

We are working to gather more information and have reporters heading to the scene.