In pictures: New York plane crash

An American Airlines plane carrying 255 people has crashed in a residential New York, shortly after take off from John F Kennedy airport.

BBC News Online shows the aftermath of the tragedy in pictures.

Smoke could be seen rising from the borough of Queens from miles away

Firefighters survey the wreckage at Rockaway Beach

Eyewitnesses said they saw an engine fall off the plane shortly before it plunged to the ground

Police examine a piece of the plane wreckage

The Rockaway community battled the flames with bottles of mineral water, hoses and anything to hand

Witnesses said up to 12 buildings were set on fire, and there was a pall of black smoke

Residents said the atmosphere was tense and solemn

It is believed there was an explosion on board the plane before it crashed

The district of Rockaway Beach was engulfed in flames

A grieving woman is comforted by a firefighter

Shocked New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani said he was focusing on finding victims