By Kashmira Konduparty
Three people were killed after a single-engine aircraft crashed in a wooded area of a community park in Bowie, Maryland, late Saturday night, prompting an investigation by federal aviation authorities.
According to Maryland State Police, the Piper PA-28 crashed in the wooded section of Archer Park in Prince George’s County at about 11:30 p.m. Saturday. The aircraft was traveling from Ocean City, New Jersey to Montgomery County Airpark in Gaithersburg when the crash occurred.
The pilot and two passengers, all adults, were pronounced dead at the scene. Their identities were not immediately released pending notification of next of kin.
Emergency responders began searching for the aircraft after receiving reports of a possible crash near a residential neighborhood. Officials said crews located the wreckage several hours later in a heavily wooded area near homes and recreational facilities.
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Residents living near the park reported hearing a loud noise shortly before emergency vehicles arrived. Brandon Nichols, who lived nearby, told local media that he initially believed the sound came from nearby construction activity before seeing police officers and ambulances responding to the scene.
Maryland State Police said preliminary information suggests the aircraft may have been associated with a flight school based in Montgomery County and could have been conducting a training flight, although investigators have not confirmed the purpose of the trip.
The Federal Aviation Administration said three people were on board the aircraft when it crashed. The agency confirmed that the plane was a Piper PA-28, a commonly used single-engine aircraft often utilized for flight training and recreational flying.
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The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board have launched an investigation into the crash. The NTSB will lead the inquiry and its expected to examine the aircraft’s maintenance records, weather conditions, flight path and communications before the accident. Officials have not indicated what may have caused the plane to go down.
The crash occurred less than 20 miles from Washington, D.C., and drew a large response from local and state emergency personnel. Images from the scene showed debris scattered through a wooded section of the park near a residential community.
Investigators are expected to remain at the site as they collect evidence and work to determine the circumstances that led to the fatal crash.