A small twin-engine cargo plane crashed close to a home in Londonderry, New Hampshire, leaving the pilot seriously injured. The Federal Aviation Administration reported that Wiggins Air Flight 1046 had just departed from Manchester Airport and was en route to Presque Isle International Airport in Maine when it crashed around 7:30 a.m. The pilot made an emergency call to airport control after takeoff.
During a news conference, Londonderry Fire Chief Bo Butler stated that the Beechcraft 99 went down in the woods behind 5 Colonial Drive, coming within 70 feet of the home. Homeowner Eddie Saktanaset described feeling “blessed to be alive” and recounted how he and his wife heard a loud boom before discovering the crash behind their house. The pilot, who has not been identified, was conscious throughout the ordeal and was the one who called 911 to report the crash.
The pilot sustained serious injuries and was rushed to the hospital, later being transferred to a hospital in Boston. No one on the ground was harmed, and no property was damaged. The plane was carrying 250 gallons of jet fuel at the time of the crash, prompting a hazardous materials team to be called in for cleanup.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will be investigating the cause of the crash, while Wiggins Air has stated that they are cooperating fully with authorities.
This incident is a reminder of the potential risks involved in air travel and the importance of safety measures. It also highlights the skill and quick thinking of the pilot, who managed to bring the plane down in a wooded area without causing further harm. It serves as a testament to the bravery and professionalism of those involved in emergency response situations.
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