TWO KILLED IN PLANE CRASH
– WITNESS NEAR LOANENDS YESTERDAY
A LIGHT aircraft was circling low over houses and fields yesterday in the moments before it crashed killing two people.
It is thought the pilot had been trying to find an area of flat ground to land safely away from houses after getting into trouble.
The tragedy unfolded shortly after midday around three miles from Belfast International Airport. No one survived the crash.
Ambulance crews were called to the incident at Loanends, Co Antrim, at 12.23pm but stood down after 26 minutes with no patients taken from the scene. Two women told how the Cessna 152 two-seater plane was so low over a bungalow it nearly scraped the roof before flying over the garden where children were playing.
One added: “It was very unsteady and the wings were going lopsided – it was all over the place. The two children were playing in the garden so we are very lucky more people were not hurt.
“Our condolences are with the two families involved. It’s just terrible.”
UUP Councillor
Mervyn Rea said: “It’s a tragedy when anyone loses their life in an accident. Flying is so safe. But here we have two unfortunate occupants of a light aircraft that have lost their lives.”
A 40-year-old Cessna 152 with the same civil aviation details was registered to The Ulster Flying Club, Newtownards, three years ago.
No one was available for comment from the club today and all calls were referred to the PSNI.
It is thought the pair who died remained at the scene last night and will be SAD UUP’S Mervyn Rea kept there until a specialist unit, led by two crash investigators, is able to reach them.
A blue tarpaulin was placed over the plane’s cabin as police guarded it to maintain forensic integrity.
The PSNI confirmed at around 6pm that two people had died in the crash.
Supt Emma Bond said: “The Air Accidents Investigations Branch will examine the scene to determine the cause of the crash.
“Cordons have been set in place in the area surrounding the aircraft to maintain the integrity of the scene as the investigation continues.
“We are not in a position to confirm the identity of the deceased. We expect the scene to be held for some time as enquiries are carried out.”
A number of locals reported seeing the Cessna plane – often used as training aircraft – circling low up to three times before ditching into land near the back garden of a house off Ballyhill Lane, near Loanends.
One woman said: “My father-in-law saw the plane and said it had been circling near our house.
“At first he thought it was an ordinance plane with people on board working but then it was over farmland where there’s no roads and it was flying very low which seems strange.
“But he didn’t think it was in danger and he didn’t see or hear the crash. It’s
Flying is so safe...it’s a tragedy if someone loses life in an accident
COUNCILLOR MERVYN REA YESTERDAY
very sad to think there were people on board who didn’t make it. Life is so fragile.”
A man told police he had seen the plane flying low near his home.
A Northern Ireland Ambulance Service spokesman said: “We got a call at 12.23pm following a report that a light aircraft had come down near Nutts Corner on approach to Belfast International Airport.
“NIAS implemented its Major Incident Protocols in response and one rapid response paramedic, three emergency ambulance crews and four officers were dispatched to the incident. The Charity Air Ambulance was also tasked. No patients were taken from the scene and the incident was stood down at 12.49pm.”
The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service confirmed they received an emergency call at 12.22pm to report a light aircraft was ablaze near Nutts Corner, Crumlin.
Three appliances from Antrim and Glengormley were sent, joined by police and ambulance personnel. Police cordons remaind in place last night.