Two people died Friday morning when a private plane, identified as a Beechcraft Bonanza, crashed shortly after taking off from Pitt-Greenville Airport in North Carolina.
The North Carolina Highway Patrol reported the incident occurred around 7:50 AM, just minutes after the flight left the airport at 7:46 AM, destined for Vero Beach, Florida. Sadly, there were no survivors.
According to the Greenville Police Department, human remains were discovered at the crash site, but the identities of the victims have not been made public. The police stated, "Investigators are still working to identify the individuals on board the plane. There were no other injuries." This tragic incident has raised concerns and led to the involvement of both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), who will conduct a thorough investigation.
The crash occurred near the rear of the Consolidated Pipe and Supply Company, where the plane reportedly came down among bushes, halting operations momentarily but with no injuries reported among personnel at the facility. Trooper Rico Stephens of the North Carolina Highway Patrol commented on the scene, affirming, "Upon arriving, a search was launched to see if any surviving people or passengers on board could be located. No passengers or no survivors were located."
Road closures implemented after the crash included North Memorial Drive between Belvoir Road and Airport Road, which was expected to remain closed until at least 4:20 PM on the same day, temporarily disrupting traffic and local business as indicated by the police and airport officials.
Bill Hopper, the executive director of Pitt-Greenville Airport, assured the public, stating flights from the airport continued to operate throughout the day, though travelers were urged to arrive early due to the day’s heightened activity and disruptions. "All airlines are still functioning, but I recommend allowing extra travel time," Hopper advised.
While the details surrounding the crash remain unclear, investigations have begun. The FAA confirmed, "The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide updates." These investigations will likely focus on several factors, including pilot communications, flight records, and potential mechanical failures as they seek to determine the cause of this tragic accident.
Interestingly, the crash occurred shortly after another aviation incident earlier the same day. An American Airlines flight traveling from Colorado Springs to Dallas-Fort Worth made headlines when it was forced to make an emergency landing at Denver International Airport following reports of engine vibrations. Upon landing, the plane caught fire, necessitating evacuation of 172 passengers and crew via inflatable slides. Twelve people received treatment for minor injuries. Videos shared on social media depicted the chaos as passengers were seen climbing out onto the wings of the aircraft as flames erupted below.
The proximity of these two incidents has heightened safety discussions, prompting calls for increased scrutiny on aircraft maintenance and safety protocols.
Officials related to air travel across the nation continue to monitor incidents like these closely, as determining the factors leading to aircraft crashes is imperative to prevent future tragedies. Insights from crash investigations are expected to inform safer practices across the general aviation sector.
For families impacted by the tragedy at Pitt-Greenville Airport, support services and counseling resources will likely be made available as authorities work to contact next of kin and provide necessary assistance during this difficult time. Under such circumstances, the community extends its condolences and joins together to offer support as families navigate their loss.
More details will be released as investigations progress and findings from the NTSB’s thorough examination of the crashed aircraft and its preliminary analysis of what transpired become available.