Within 48 hours, there were two small crashes in the U.S, one in Massachusetts and the other in Texas, claiming four lives and raising concerns as to the safety of light aviation. Whilst in different locations and circumstances, do these events correlate? And is there a greater need for concern regarding this type of air travel?
Highway Crash in Dartmouth, Massachusetts
The small plane, a Socata TBM-700 turboprop, crashed into Interstate 195 early Monday morning around 8:15 am, killing both people on board as well as injuring a driver on the highway who was transported to a local hospital shortly after the crash.
Massachusetts State Police have disclosed that the aircraft may have been trying to land at New Bedford Regional Airport; however, this cannot be confirmed as the pilot didn’t provide the airport with any flight plan or passenger information.
In a statement, they said:
No further information is available regarding the identities of the victims, the circumstances of the crash or the timing of the roadway reopening to normal traffic.
The highway was closed in both directions as of 10:25 am local time, as police secured the scene.
Videos from passersby show the debris of the crash still on fire, as a host of firetrucks, police, and ambulances surround the scene.
According to the National Weather Service, a nor’easter, a large-scale extratropical cyclone, had brought rain and winds reaching 30 and 40 mph to the area at the time of the incident. However, it is unclear whether or not these conditions played a role in the crash.
Inferno in Tarrant County, Texas
At least two people were killed after another small plane crashed near Hicks Airfield outside of Fort Worth in Tarrant County.
Occurring at 1:30 pm on Sunday, the Beech King Air C90 hit several trucks and triggered a fire, according to officials.
Witnesses heard a loud boom and then saw black smoke rising from the crash site. Videos caught by passing drivers show the plumes of black smoke from the crash, with voices in the background voicing shock and horror.
These crashes, along with others, have shown the dangers of small aircraft. Should more scrutiny be placed on the flying of small aircraft following these incidents and the dangers evidenced? Let us know in the comments.
