A pilot travelling alone in a plane has died in a fiery inferno after their small aircraft crashed into a house in New Mexico.
The incident took place shortly after the aircraft took off from the Santa Fe Regional Airport at around 9am on Tuesday, 18th July.
The aircraft, reportedly a twin-engine Cessna 310, hit the home, which was empty at the time, and burst into flames after the pilot radioed the control tower to report that the aircraft’s left engine had failed.
The house was destroyed in the subsequent blaze, with the pilot, who has yet to be identified, pronounced dead at the scene, according to local media.
Firefighters eventually put the blaze out, with the police saying that the pilot was the only person on board the aircraft at the time.
They had reportedly been flying to Santa Monica in California.
The Santa Fe County Sheriff said on Tuesday afternoon, on 18th July, shortly after 5:30pm: “SANTA FE AREA: Traffic closed from El Sol Court to Los Pinos on West Frontage.
“PLEASE AVOID THE AREA.
“Fire and Law Enforcement personnel on scene of a plane crash.
“Investigation ongoing.”
And the New Mexico State Police said shortly after 6:30pm: “NMSP is investigating a fatal plane crash near the West Frontage RD and La Luna RD in Santa Fe. Scene is active. PIO headed to the scene and will provide additional information.”
The investigation is ongoing.
