Five people, including one child, have died in a plane crash at the Wright Brothers Memorial airport in North Carolina. The reason for the crash is still under investigation, and a final report will take months, but the crash wasn’t something that normally happens at the airport.
Authorities have not released the names of the crash victims yet, but that will likely come in a few days. While the Wright Brothers National Memorial and First Flight Airport closed down following the crash, they will reopen soon.
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The National Park Service made an announcement about the crash.
The National Park Service shared that a single-engine plane had crashed into a wooded area at Wright Brothers National Memorial’s First Flight Airport around 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 28. The airport is in the town of Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina.
The plane ran into trouble trying to land.
According to the NPS, eyewitnesses “reported that the airplane was attempting to land at the airport” before it crashed, and a fire broke out, which “caused the airplane to burn.” The Kill Devil Hills Fire Department and other nearby fire departments put the fire out.
The crash was unusual.
“The airplane made an initial approach in subsequent takeoff where it remained in the pattern and made a second approach and landing attempt,” National Transportation Safety Board Aviation Accident Investigator Ryan Enders told WAVY-TV. “During the second attempt, the aircraft made a left turn and impacted trees adjacent to the left side of the runway.”
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There were no survivors.
Enders told WAVY-TV that the identities of the five victims, which included one child, have yet to be released.
“It’s a real tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of those who perished in the crash,” Superintendent of National Parks of Eastern North Carolina David Hallac said in a statement shared by WAVY-TV.
The investigation is ongoing.
“Two NTSB investigators arrived at the accident site Sunday to document the airplane wreckage, which will then be moved to a secure facility for further evaluation,” a department spokesperson told People.
Ender told WAVY-TV that the investigation would take time. A preliminary report will take approximately 10 days. A factual report will be released in approximately nine to 12 months, and probable cause will be released shortly after.
