Two Dead After East Haven Plane Crash: Sources
NBCConnecticut.com
A small airplane has crashed into two houses on Charter Oak Avenue in East Haven.
At least two people are dead after a small plane attempting to land at Tweed Airport in rainy conditions crashed into two East Haven, Connecticut houses this morning, sources at the scene tell NBC Connecticut.
East Haven Mayor Joseph Maturo said two families are involved. They have not confirmed names or ages of those dead.
"My condolences to the families involved," he said. "There's two families involved here. Airplane and the people who were on the ground here in in East Haven. Our hearts go out to them. We have people assisting the family here in East Haven."
Maturo said officials only know they have two victims.
"We don't know who. We don't know. We don't know the ages. We can't really get into the house right now. It's still unstable. We're waiting for the NTSB to arrive."
Until then, investigators will not be able to determine how many people are in the house.
The plane is registered to Ellumax Leasing, out of Medina, Washington and the tail number is N13622.
Family members in Oregon said the plane belongs to Bill Henningsgaard and that he and his son, Max, left the West Coast on Monday to tour colleges on the East Coast. New Haven was on itinerary.
The family has not been notified by any officials in Connecticut, but confirmed to us over the phone that the plane belonged to Bill and they believe he and his son were aboard when it crashed.
During a news conference this afternoon, Gov. Dannel Malloy said they "have visuals of two bodies."
"That does not mean that's the limit. In fact, we're sharing a lot of information about how that number may in fact be higher, based on reports we're getting from other airports, as well as folks on the scene who are familiar with the house."
East Haven assistant fire chief Charles Licata said they have not positively identified the victims.
East Haven Mayor Joseph Maturo said this morning that two children, ages 1 and around 13, were in the house when the crash happened and are unaccounted for.
"We are doing everything we can for the mom," Maturo said.
The mother was with her priest and family members, according to the mayor, who is asking people to stay away from the scene.
The National Transportation Safety Board will be taking over the scene, according to the mayor and investigators will know more when the team arrives.
"When they get here and they take the investigation, then we will be able to search a little closer,' Maturo said.
The crash happened around 11:25 a.m., according to the Federal Aviation Administration, when when a Rockwell International Turbo Commander 690B coming from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey crashed in the densely populated residential neighborhood on approach into Tweed.
Malloy said it appears the crash happened upon "reapproach."
He added that air traffic control was manned as the plane was approaching.
The houses the plane hit are 64 and 68 Charter Oak Avenue, according to Maturo, and both were destroyed.
"As far as the response, it was like a motor vehicle accident with two houses involved," East Haven Fire Chief Douglas Jackson said. "It was two structure fires and a fuel-filled vehicle involved."
Several departments responded, including New Haven and Branford.
Officials have not been able to get into the house because it is too unstable. There is also water in the basement.
One house has partially collapsed and neighbors said earlier that they saw emergency workers take children from one house.
Tweed Airport officials said the pilot communicated with the airport and there are appear to be no distress calls.
Tweed Airport is closed, airport officials said. Flights scheduled for 12:39 p.m. and 3:35 p.m. were canceled. They are also waiting on the NTSB.
Officials said this is very early in the investigation.
Neighbors who were home when the plane crash happened report hearing a loud boom, then seeing a raging fire.
Tara Gallo said she lives several houses away and heard what sounded like an explosion. When she looked out the window, she saw flames.
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