Three adults died Saturday night after a small aircraft crashed in a wooded area of Archer Park in Bowie, Maryland. According to Maryland State Police, the Piper PA-28 was flying from Ocean City, New Jersey, to Montgomery County Airpark around 11:30 p.m. on June 20 when the accident occurred.
How was the crash reported?
The crash was reported to Prince George’s County Public Safety Communications through an iPhone crash alert shortly before midnight, officials said. A ground and aerial search was subsequently launched by several agencies, including Maryland State Police, Prince George’s County police, Anne Arundel County police, Bowie City officials, and Prince George’s County Fire and EMS.
The aircraft was located in the park near a residential neighborhood at approximately 3:45 a.m. on June 21. Maryland State Police spokesperson Elena Russo said that while the loss of three individuals is a tragedy, no one in the neighboring residential area was injured.
Who was on the aircraft?
The victims include the pilot and two passengers, according to Maryland State Police. Authorities are currently withholding the identities of the deceased pending notification of their next of kin.
State police believe the plane may belong to a local flight school based out of Montgomery County and suggested it may have been on a training flight. –> There is currently no information regarding what led to the fatal crash.
What happens next in the investigation?
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are leading the investigation into the crash. An NTSB investigator is expected to arrive at the crash scene late Sunday evening.
While no additional information is expected from the NTSB on Sunday, further details may be available on Monday. Drivers and residents in the area should expect a large emergency response while investigators remain on the scene.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Where did the plane crash? The aircraft crashed in the wooded area of Archer Park in Bowie, Maryland.
- Where was the plane traveling? The flight was traveling from Ocean City, New Jersey, to Montgomery County Airpark.
- How was the incident first reported? The crash was reported via an iPhone crash alert to Prince George’s County Public Safety Communications.
What safety measures do you think are most critical for flight schools?
