Multiple people are reported dead after two small airplanes collided in mid air as they were attempting to land at the Watsonville Municipal Airport in Santa Cruz, California, Thursday afternoon.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reported that two people were in a twin-engine Cessna 340 and one person was on-board a single-engine Cessna 152 when the planes crashed into each other, according to KSBW 8. A photo posted by the City of Watsonville showed that one of the planes had also crashed into a hangar.
“Multiple agencies responded to Watsonville Municipal Airport after 2 planes attempting to land collided. We have reports of multiple fatalities,” the city tweeted. “Report came in at 2:56pm. Investigation is underway, updates to follow.”
Multiple agencies responded to Watsonville Municipal Airport after 2 planes attempting to land collided. We have reports of multiple fatalities.
Report came in at 2:56pm.
Investigation is underway, updates to follow. pic.twitter.com/pltHIAyw5p
— City of Watsonville (@WatsonvilleCity) August 18, 2022
One person driving by the airport after the crash posted a video of the other plane that ended up in a field after the accident.
Drove by just now. 😢 looks terrible pic.twitter.com/Jr3KJ4R8b5
— alma 🌸 (@almitasuxx) August 18, 2022
No injuries were sustained by people on the ground when the accident occurred, according to the FAA.
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office responded and secured the scene along with the Watsonville Police Department. The FAA has launched an investigation to determine what caused the accident.
Watsonville, a city of roughly 52,000 people, released a statement after the crash that confirmed reports of multiple fatalities. “We are absolutely saddened to hear about the tragic incident that took the lives of several people,” the city wrote on its Facebook page. “The City of Watsonville sends its deepest condolences to the friends and family of those who passed.”
Watsonville Mayor Ari Parker added, “We are grieving tonight from this unexpected and sudden loss. I want to express my deepest and most heartfelt condolences.”
This is a developing story; refresh the page for updates.