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Passenger Jet Crashes After Takeoff in Queens; FBI Investigates Explosion
Monday, November 12, 2001
By Diego Ibarguen / The Associated Press

Source.

“The first thing that went through my mind is, 'Oh, my God.' I just passed the church in which I've been to, I think, 10 funerals here.” -- Mayor Rudolph Giuliani

NEW YORK -- AP
An American Airlines jetliner en route to the Dominican Republic with 255 people aboard crashed moments after takeoff Monday from Kennedy Airport, setting homes on fire. There was no immediate word on the number of deaths or injuries.

Bush administration officials said the FBI believed there was an explosion aboard the plane, and was investigating whether it was the result of a mechanical failure or sabotage. Witnesses reported an engine and other debris falling off the plane as it came down.

The city -- already on edge after the Sept. 11 terrorist attack -- was put on high alert. Fighter jets were seen flying over the area.

All metropolitan-area airports -- Kennedy, LaGuardia and Newark, N.J. -- were closed after the crash, which took place in the Rockaway section of Queens. All bridges and tunnels into the city were closed except to emergency vehicles. The United Nations was partially locked down.
(More: RecordOnline.com News Source)
2001 © The Associated Press.

Dan