5 Killed in Crash of Skydivers’ Plane
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LINCOLN, R.I. — A single-engine plane carrying skydivers crashed during takeoff, killing five people and critically injuring one other Saturday.
The Cessna Skylane Model 182 reached about 200 feet off the ground before it tilted left about 90 degrees and crashed into trees by the runway, said John Roan, a flight instructor at the North Central State Airport.
“The engine just quit. It died,” said Chris Rossi, an airport maintenance worker.
Gas from a ruptured fuel tank leaked from the plane, Roan said. Several firefighters had minor injuries from two explosions at the scene.
Distraught staff of the Boston-Providence Skydiving Center hugged and cried.
Four people were declared dead shortly after the 5 p.m. crash, state police said. Two men in their 20s were flown to Rhode Island Hospital for treatment, hospital spokesman Rick Piester said.
One of them died later. The surviving passenger was in critical condition.
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