A pilot is hospitalized and their passenger dead after a small plane crashed in East Hartford, Connecticut on Tuesday.
Officials said a student pilot and instructor were on board the plane when it crashed while attempting to land at the airport at around 3:45 p.m. Witnesses said they saw the pilot jump to safety before the plane burst into flames. Another witness said he saw the plane hit two utility poles before crashing.
The passenger did not make it out before the fire started. The pilot suffered burns.
The plane also narrowly missed hitting a gray minivan with a mother and child inside. The minivan was not damaged but police said the occupants are being treated at the hospital, calling it a miracle that the minivan was not hit.
The pilot and passenger have not been identified.
The crash knocked out power to around 600 Eversource customers in the area. The FBI is assisting in the investigation to determine if the plane crash was possible intentional.
The FAA released the following statement:
A Piper PA 34 aircraft went down on E. Main St. in Hartford, CT at about 3:40 p.m. today. The aircraft was on final approach to Runway 20 at Hartford-Brainard Airport. Check with local authorities on the condition of the two people on board. The FAA will investigate.
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