How a lost bomber flying through thick fog struck the Empire State Building

History · Published 8 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: On a foggy July morning in 1945, a B-25 bomber vanished into Manhattan's skyline. The pilot, disoriented by heavy mist, accidentally tore through the north side of the Empire State Building, sparking a disaster that would ultimately transform United States aviation law forever.

The accident occurred on July 28, 1945, during a routine transport mission. Lieutenant Colonel William F. Smith, Jr., a highly decorated pilot, was flying the unarmed U.S. Army Air Forces B-25 from Newark, New Jersey, toward Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He was accompanied by crew member Christopher Domitrovich and passenger Albert Perna, a machinist’s mate. As the aircraft approached New York City, Smith found himself lost in thick fog, unsure of his exact position despite radio instructions from the La Guardia Airport tower.

In a desperate attempt to navigate, Smith weaved between skyscrapers, successfully avoiding the Chrysler Building and the New York Central Building. However, he suddenly found himself face-to-face with the Empire State Building. Despite a steep climb and banking maneuver, the B-25 smashed into the north side of the tower. The impact created a hole 18 feet wide and 20 feet deep between the 78th and 80th floors, specifically striking the offices of the Catholic War Relief Services.

The crash resulted in 14 deaths: all three people on the aircraft and 11 individuals inside the building. Despite the significant damage and fire, the building's structural integrity remained intact. In a near-miraculous escape, an engine plummeted into an elevator shaft, cutting the car's cables. The car's descent was slowed by its automatic braking system and the upward force of air, with the coiled cables at the bottom providing additional cushioning.

This tragedy, caused by the disorientation of the pilot in heavy fog, had lasting consequences for the industry. The event stunned the city and ultimately led to transformations in United States aviation law, highlighting the dangers of navigating dense urban environments in low-visibility conditions.

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