A single-engine plane crashed in Ashtabula County, Ohio, on Sunday morning, killing one person and critically injuring another, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
The county sits approximately 50 miles northeast of Cleveland.
Newsweek reached out to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and state highway patrol via email on Sunday for comment.
Why It Matters
An increase in reports of plane crashes across the United States has made people wonder if flights are safe.
The NTSB has recorded 295 aviation accidents this year, with 57 of them being fatal. The accidents have involved small planes and larger flights, like the helicopter crash in the Hudson River in New York in April and the plane crash in San Diego last week.
What To Know
The Ohio State Highway Patrol confirmed to local station Fox 8 News that a Zenith 701 aircraft went down near State Route 307 in Harpersville Township around 10:11 a.m., close to Germack Airport in Geneva.
One survivor managed to exit the aircraft independently and was found walking around the crash site, though they sustained severe burn injuries that required immediate hospitalization. The identities and ages of both occupants remain undisclosed pending notification of family members.
The aircraft’s origin and destination remain unknown, with investigators still gathering basic flight information. The Zenith 701 is classified as an experimental amateur-built aircraft, commonly used for recreational flying and flight training. These single-engine planes are popular among aviation enthusiasts due to their relatively simple design and construction process.
Local authorities say the federal aviation authorities have been notified, with both the FAA and NTSB expected to conduct comprehensive investigations.
AP Photo/Jay LaPrete
What People Are Saying
Lieutenant Timothy Grimm of Ashtabula Post told Fox 8 News: “It’s a tragic event. There was a life lost in this event.”
A spokesperson for the NTSB previously told Newsweek about investigations: “NTSB investigations involve three primary areas: the pilot, the aircraft and the operating environment.”
They added: “During the on-scene phase of the investigative process, the NTSB does not determine or speculate about the cause of the accident.”
The investigator will gather information regarding flight tracking data, air traffic control communications, maintenance records, weather conditions, pilot’s background, witness statements, and any surveillance video.
What Happens Next?
Federal investigators will examine the wreckage, interview witnesses, and analyze flight records to determine the probable cause of the accident.