What Happened in the Small Plane Crash That Killed Seven in North Carolina?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Seven fatalities occurred in a small jet crash in North Carolina.
- The victims included former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and his family.
- The incident is under investigation by the FAA and the NTSB.
- The airport remains closed as cleanup efforts are underway.
- Video footage shows first responders reacting to the emergency.
New York, Dec 19 (NationPress) A tragic incident unfolded as seven individuals lost their lives when a small jet crashed at a regional airport in Statesville, located in the US state of North Carolina, according to police reports.
The deceased included former NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, his wife, and their two children, as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
The Cessna C550 jet went down on Thursday at approximately 10:20 a.m. Eastern Time while attempting to land, igniting a significant fire, as detailed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Flight-tracking website FlightAware indicated that the aircraft had taken off from the airport shortly after 10 a.m. but subsequently returned for a landing.
Authorities are still working on confirming the identities of the victims through the medical examiner's office.
During a brief press conference on December 18, Statesville City Manager Ron Smith remarked that the situation remains active, referring to the event as a multi-agency response while noting that the investigation is ongoing.
Video clips depicted first responders swiftly moving onto the runway, as wreckage from the aircraft was engulfed in flames.
John Ferguson, the airport manager for Statesville Regional Airport, informed reporters that the FAA has taken charge of the crash site. He stated, "The airport is currently closed until further notice. Clearing the debris from the runway will take time to ensure safety again."
The FAA has announced that it, alongside the National Transportation Safety Board, is commencing an investigation into this unfortunate incident.