New York Yankees pitcher Corey Lidle died yesterday afternoon after his plane struck near the 40th floor of a 50-story residential high-rise on New York's Upper East Side, authorities said.
Two bodies, including Lidle's were found on the ground following the crash. Lidle was 34.
Lidle was a licensed pilot, and the plane was registered in his name. The plane was flying under visual flight rules and was not in contact with air traffic controllers until a mayday call shortly before the crash, authorities said.
The accident set the condominium building Belaire, on fire, in addition to the one next door. Fire officials controlled the fire by 4 p.m.
The plane left New Jersey's Teterboro airport across the Hudson River at 2:30 p.m., about 15 minutes before the crash, according to airport officials at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the scene.
Lidle was traded from the Phillies to the Yankees on July 31. He compiled a 5.13 ERA in 10 games for the pinstripes.
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- Rachel Dolin
