Small Plane Crashes In St. Mary's County - News Story - WRC | Washington
Small Plane Crashes In St. Mary's County - News Story - WRC | Washington:
HOLLYWOOD, Md. -- A small plane crash landed in the Hollywood area of St. Mary's County, officials said Thursday.
The incident happened at Airport View Drive and Lawrence Hayden Road at about 8 a.m. Authorities told News4 that three people were on board the plane when it crashed in a field next to the airport.Officials said the North Carolina-bound plane was taking off from the St. Mary's Regional Airport after stopping there to refuel when it crashed just past the runway. The plane burst into flames.
One of the passengers, 19-year-old Gerald Nance Jr., ran for help and called 911.
The single-engine, fixed-wing aircraft was piloted by the teen's father, 51-year-old Gerald Nance Sr., who escaped unharmed, and grandmother, 85-year-old Agnes Nance, of Bowie. She was flown to a Baltimore trauma center and is in critical condition.
Gerald Nance Jr. apparently pulled his father and grandmother from the wreckage before finding help.
Investigators from the Federal Aviation Administration are looking into the crash. According to state investigators, the plane had mechanical problems just after takeoff. The pilot was searching for an open field when the plane went down.
Experts said the position of the plane may have helped save lives.