A tragic plane crash in Bath County, Virginia, claimed the lives of five individuals, as confirmed by Virginia State Police on Sunday.
The incident unfolded at approximately 3 p.m. at Ingalls Field Airport, situated in western Virginia's Bath County.
Five dead in Virginia plane crash: Policehttps://t.co/siTquzI7Zg
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) March 11, 2024
Among the victims were the aircraft's captain, first officer, and three passengers, one of whom was identified as a child. Their identities have not been released by authorities.
The crash occurred following an onboard emergency, prompting the plane to initiate a landing maneuver. However, the aircraft missed the runway, veering off course to collide with trees before ultimately crashing into a hillside and erupting into flames. Jeff Ford, chairman of the Bath County Airport Authority, provided details to 10 News regarding the sequence of events.
While the exact nature of the emergency remains undisclosed, investigators have not ruled out potential adverse wind conditions as contributing factors to the tragic crash.
Notably, the aircraft had been in communication with the Washington Air Route Traffic Control Center before the fatal incident occurred.
In response to the crash, Ingalls Field Airport has been temporarily closed as multiple agencies, including the Virginia State Police, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), launch investigations to determine the cause of the tragedy.
According to updated information from Virginia State Police, the ill-fated flight originated from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with its intended destination being Ingalls Field Airport.
The passengers were reportedly en route to attend an event at the Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Virginia. However, their journey ended abruptly in tragedy.
The crash site, located near the 6200 block of Airport Road, saw the rapid response of various emergency services, including the Bath County Sheriff’s Office, Hot Springs Fire and Rescue, Falling Springs Fire and Rescue, and Clifton Forge Fire and Rescue. These agencies collaborated to secure the crash site and provide assistance as needed.
Authorities have transported the remains of the victims to the Virginia Office of the Medical Examiner, Western District, for formal identification procedures.
Investigations into the cause of the crash are ongoing, with authorities working diligently to piece together the events leading up to the tragic incident.
The community of Bath County, along with aviation authorities and law enforcement agencies, mourns the loss of life and remains committed to uncovering the circumstances surrounding the devastating plane crash. As the investigation progresses, additional updates will be provided to shed light on this heartbreaking event.
