Multiple people are feared dead after a private jet crash landed near an airport runway in North Carolina.
The Cessna Citation airplane was seen engulfed in flames to the right of the runway at Statesville Regional Airport on Thursday morning around 10.15am.
It is unclear how many people were on the plane when it crashed to the ground, but the model of the plane has a capacity for eight to 10 passengers.
Images showed the inferno ripping through the jet – which can cost as much as $2.5 million – as thick black smoke was seen blanketing the air.
The Federal Aviation Authority told the Daily Mail that the Cessna C550 – a private jet – crashed while attempting to land.
The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation.
The Iredell County Sheriff has been contacted for comment.
Local news outlet WBTV reported that they were informed there were fatalities, however authorities have not confirmed any deaths.
The plane crashed at Statesville Regional Airport on Thursday morning
First responders rushed to the scene in North Carolina
Witnesses who were at nearby Lakewood Golf Club said the plane was flying ‘way to low’ before it crashed.
Statesville Regional Airport said in a statement: ‘We can confirm there has been an aircraft incident at the Statesville Regional Airport.
‘At approximately 10:15am, an aircraft crashed while landing. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is en route and will investigate the incident.’
This is a breaking news story.
