Two people have died after a plane crashed in Mansfield, Massachusetts, on Saturday afternoon, state police said.
Emergency personnel were at the scene at Mansfield Municipal Airport after the crash, which occurred at 12:36 p.m. Saturday.
Police confirmed around 2:15 p.m. that the two people involved had died from the injuries they suffered in the crash.
The plane involved in the incident was a Cessna 172, according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The plane was owned and operated by Horizon Aviation of Norwood.
WFXT learned that the two victims, both males, were an instructor and student at the school, and the plane had taken off from Norwood Airport. The pilot was identified as 31-year-old Sydney Miti of Waltham, and the student was identified as 18-year-old Julian Lattermann of Dover.
"He was happy, he really loved flying," Miti's wife said. "It was his passion. When I spoke to him, he was happy and it was going to be a good day. The last phone call I would have expected today was he’s gone. I don’t believe it, It can’t be, it can’t be true and until I see him, I’m not going to believe it.”
No mayday call was made, and first responders said it was too late to try and save the pair.
"I've never seen a plane, nose dived, bent out of shape like that," Kevin Haley, who lives nearby, said.
Massachusetts State Police patrols, detectives and crime scene services all responded, as did Mansfield police and fire.
The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed Saturday afternoon that it would be investigating the incident, saying they would be sending someone to look into the crash as early as Sunday morning.
The FAA says it will investigate the crash, while the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will determine the probable cause of the accident.
"It's just so shocking," Rita Muldoon, who lives nearby, said. "My heart, like, imagine if they were learning how to fly. You'd never think that would happen. It's so sad."
Only private jets fly out of the Mansfield Municipal Airport, and the crash happened right in front of the staff at the airport's restaurant.
They released a statement on Facebook, offering their condolences following the tragic incident.
"Hangar 12 would like to offer our deepest sympathy to all those involved or impacted by the tragic incident that occurred at the Mansfield Municipal Airport earlier today," the statement read. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the occupants of that aircraft. This is a horrific event and we offer our condolences"
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