NEW CASTLE COUNTY, DE — Two people died in a plane crash in New Castle County Sunday, according to Delaware State Police. The pilot of a twin-engine plane radioed the control tower at New Castle Airport that he needed to land shortly after takeoff, and then the communication ended, ABC 6 reported.
Police said the aircraft was found within miles of the airport after a driver called 911 to report seeing what looked like a plane crashing in a wooded area off Interstate 95.
Investigators said the plane crash occurred west of Interstate 95 near Churchmans Road at 8:53 a.m. on Sunday, Aug. 18.
The pilot and passenger of the 1965 Beech Baron were pronounced deceased at the scene, according to police. Officials are withholding their names pending next-of-kin notifications.
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While all roads remained open, there was a heavy police presence in the area, so officials advised drivers Sunday to expect delays during the crash probe.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are participating in the investigation. Officials are asking anyone who saw the crash to contact investigators.
More than 12 fire departments, the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and the Division of Forensic Science also responded to the scene, police said.
The 1965 Beech Baron plane was registered to a Philadelphia man, ABC 6 reported.
Accessing the heavily damaged plane was difficult, according to the Delaware News Journal, which said it required Gators for officials to get into the woods.
State environmental officials were summoned due to potentially hazardous chemicals such as fuel that may have spilled, and crews were staging at White Clay Creek Medical Center, the journal reported.