A small aircraft crashed while attempting to land at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina, resulting in multiple deaths, officials confirmed.
Incident Details
The crash occurred around 10:15 a.m. local time (15:15 GMT) on Thursday. Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell confirmed fatalities but did not specify the number. Airport authorities reported that the Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the incident.
The aircraft involved was a Cessna C550, registered to a private company linked to retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle. The jet, described as a corporate aircraft, had taken off just minutes before the crash at around 10:06 a.m. local time.
Eyewitness Accounts
Statesville Airport director John Ferguson said the jet was already engulfed in flames when he arrived at the scene. The plane crashed on the east end of the runway. Authorities have not yet determined the cause of the accident.
Airport Status
Statesville Regional Airport remains closed while crews work to remove debris from the runway. The airport, located about 45 minutes north of Charlotte, serves both corporate aviation and NASCAR teams, including several Fortune 500 companies.
Ongoing Investigation
Officials have not released details about the passengers or crew aboard the aircraft. The FAA will lead the investigation to determine the circumstances that led to the crash.
