Three people were killed when a small plane crashed into a residential home in Plainville, Massachusetts, at around 5 p.m. on Sunday.
The residents of the home were unharmed.
The plane, a Beechcraft BE36, was headed to Norwood Memorial Airport from Lancaster Airport in Pennsylvania when the pilot began to experience engine problems and lost control, according to reports.
"We got real bad vibrations. We are losing engines," the pilot told an air traffic control tower.
"I need help."
The pilot attempted to land the plane on Interstate 495, but couldn’t manage to gain control of the aircraft before crashing into the roof of the two-story colonial-style home, engulfing it in flames.
A small plane crashed into a home in Plainville. Family safe. Fire on scene. @BostonGlobe @GlobeMetro pic.twitter.com/NTWlKaS0eP— Astead Wesley (@AsteadWH) June 28, 2015
In Plainville, MA. Small plane crashes into home. All 3 passengers killed. Residents of the home got out safely. pic.twitter.com/mtRnTtFhKu— Kainani Stevens (@KainaniStevens) June 29, 2015
The plane carried the pilot and two passengers, including a child. All three passengers died on impact. Officials said the identities of the victims will not be disclosed until relatives are notified. The National Transportation Safety Board said on Twitter that it was investigating the accident.
NTSB is investigating an accident involving a Beech A36 that crashed in Plainville, MA today.— NTSB (@NTSB) June 28, 2015
Neighbors told CBS Boston that the crash sounded like thunder and felt like an earthquake. “I just went outside and saw smoke everywhere and people running up the street,” one neighbor told the station.
Investigator surveying the tail of plane that crashed into Plainville home. #WCVB pic.twitter.com/79oubOuO3s— Jim Lokay #WCVB (@LokayWCVB) June 29, 2015
Eight to nine fire companies responded to the three-alarm fire and extinguished it by 8 p.m., roughly three hours after the crash, according to the Boston Globe.
Current status of home. Still a firefighting operation. Residents safe. #Plainville #planecrash @necn pic.twitter.com/3LlrvmD3Th— Scott Wholley (@scottwholley) June 28, 2015
All four family members of the household and their pets were able to escape without a scratch. “It is a miracle that the four occupants were able to escape given the extensive damage to their home,” State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan told the Globe.
Homeowner Aaron Rice speaks to local investigators outside of his charred Plainville home. #WCVB pic.twitter.com/u2tRsaM3AY— Jim Lokay #WCVB (@LokayWCVB) June 29, 2015
“When I saw the fireball go down the back of the house, we realized it was a lot more serious than that. We shouted at the kids to get out of the house," homeowner Aaron Rice told WCVB-TV. "They came down the stairs with the dogs and one of the cats, and I ran in a few more times looking for the rest of the cats.”