Pilot dies in small plane crash at Newport News airport, 2 others suffer life-threatening injuries
A pilot died and two others were seriously injured Thursday after a small plane crashed at the Newport News-Williamsburg International Airport, according to state police.
The three were onboard a Cessna 172 private plane when it crashed shortly after takeoff, said Michael Giardino, executive director of the airport.
The plane had reached an altitude of about 100 feet when it veered off course and slammed into an embankment next to the runway, according to state police.
The pilot was a female, according to a news release from Virginia State Police. The two injured are both 18-year-old men from Maryland. The men, one of whom was the co-pilot, were taken to Riverside Regional Hospital, the release said. Both were said to have life-threatening injuries.
Representatives from the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration were headed to the scene Thursday.
The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is a four-seat, single-engine plane. An active fuel leak was discovered at the scene and was contained, Giardino said.
The crash was reported at 3:22 p.m. on the north side of the airport. The facility was closed for nearly two hours afterward.
Airport Rescue, as well as Newport News fire fighters and police, responded to the crash. Virginia State Police are handling the initial investigation, Giardino said.
The plane that crashed is based out of the Newport News-Williamsburg airport. Giardino said he didn’t know where it was headed or who was on board. Virginia State Police said they were working to notify the victims’ families.
Jane Harper, jane.harper@pilotonline.com
