Plane Crash in Londonderry, NH Neighborhood: Pilot Hospitalized
A pilot was injured and taken to the hospital after a plane crashed in a neighborhood in Londonderry, New Hampshire. The incident occurred around 7:30 a.m. when a Wiggins Airways flight, departing from Manchester Boston Regional Airport and heading to Presque Isle International Airport in Maine, crashed. Emergency crews responded to the scene and remained there until 4 p.m. The pilot was the only person on board and there were no reported injuries to anyone on the ground.
Witnesses in the area were shocked by the crash. Eddie Saktanaset, a resident near the crash site, expressed his surprise, saying, “It kind of freaked me out a little bit. It kind of scared me. I’ve never seen anything like that before.”
Manchester Airport Director Ted Kitchens provided additional details about the incident. Airport personnel were alerted to the aircraft emergency at 7:25 a.m. and rescue and firefighter teams were quickly positioned on a runway. Air traffic controllers later confirmed that an incident had occurred. Airport representatives then moved to the crash site in Londonderry.
Londonderry Fire Chief Bo Butler described the rescue operation as challenging but successful. He praised the members of the Londonderry Fire Department for their professional response to this high-risk event. Rescuers managed to extract the injured pilot through the plane’s front windshield and he was transported to a Boston hospital. Although no details about the pilot’s condition were shared, Chief Butler mentioned that he was responsive.
The crash prompted a multi-agency response involving state, local, and federal agencies. Officials, including Manchester Mayor Jay Ruais, expressed their gratitude for the quick and collaborative efforts of the first responders.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated that the plane involved in the crash was a Beechcraft Model 99. Wiggins Airways, an all-cargo airline based in Manchester, operates this type of aircraft. The FAA, along with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), will conduct an investigation into the crash.
Despite the incident, Manchester Airport remained open and operational with no impact on flight operations. There were no reports of property damage resulting from the crash.
In conclusion, a pilot was injured in a plane crash in Londonderry, NH. Emergency crews responded to the scene and successfully rescued the pilot. The incident prompted a collaborative response from various agencies, and investigations by the FAA and NTSB are underway.
