Business jet crashes at airport in North Carolina, three feared killed

Business jet crashes at airport in North Carolina, three feared killed

2012-03-16 02:38:03 GMT+7 (ICT)

FRANKLIN, North Carolina (BNO NEWS) -- A small business jet carrying three people crashed at an airport in western North Carolina on early Thursday afternoon, local and federal officials said. The conditions of those on board was not immediately known.

The accident happened at about 1:36 p.m. local time when a Cessna Citation 501 aircraft crashed in a corn field at the end of the runway at Macon County Airport, which is located about three miles (five kilometers) northwest of Franklin, causing a fire at the scene.

Kathleen Bergen, a spokeswoman for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), said the aircraft was carrying a total of three people and suffered 'substantial' damage. Photos from the scene showed the entire aircraft was completely engulfed in flames, leaving only a small field of debris.

Franklin Fire & Rescue officials said the fire was quickly extinguished, but it was not immediately known if anyone survived. The Western Carolinas Region of the American Red Cross said its volunteers were responding to the airport. "Initial services to be provided are mental health along with canteen services," a statement said.

According to flight records, the business jet was registered to an individual in Venice, but Bergen would not confirm specific details about the aircraft. "We are not confirming tail numbers until we know the conditions of the three persons on board," Bergen said. "If they are fatalities, then we will wait until next of kin are notified before we confirm."

Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate the cause of the accident.

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