North Carolina, USA: A business jet crashed at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina on Thursday morning, killing seven people, authorities said. The aircraft, a Cessna C550, went down shortly after take-off while attempting to return to the airport, triggering a massive fire and sending thick smoke into the sky.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the crash occurred between 10:15 am and 10:20 am local time during the landing attempt. The aircraft had taken off at around 10:06 am but was unable to gain sufficient altitude and turned back within minutes. Flight tracking data indicated that the jet flew only a few miles before attempting to return to base.
Officials said weather conditions at the time included light rain and low cloud cover, resulting in reduced visibility. These conditions are being considered as a possible contributing factor, though the exact cause of the crash is yet to be determined. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), along with the FAA, has launched a detailed investigation.
Statesville Regional Airport, located about 45 miles north of Charlotte, is frequently used by NASCAR teams and Fortune 500 companies. Authorities confirmed that the crash led to a severe fire upon impact.
Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell said multiple fatalities had been confirmed but initially declined to specify the exact number. Later information indicated that all seven people on board were killed in the crash.
Eyewitnesses near the airport said the aircraft was flying unusually low before crashing. Joshua Green, who was golfing nearby at the time, said the plane burst into flames immediately after impact. “We were shocked. We saw the plane flying very low, and moments later it was engulfed in fire. It was terrifying,” he said.
Emergency services rushed to the site, and the area around the airport was secured as investigators began their work. Further details are expected once the probe progresses.
