Two people have died, including a 24-year-old Japanese learner pilot, and 10 people were injured after a light aircraft crashed into a hangar at an airport in South Australia.
According to media reports, the aircraft crashed into a hangar at Parafield Airport in South Australia on Wednesday during a training flight. The accident killed the Japanese learner pilot and a 29-year-old Australian instructor.
The crash also caused a large fire in the hangar, injuring 10 people, including airport ground staff, who were taken to the hospital with burns. More than 55 firefighters responded to the blaze, which took 30 minutes to extinguish, as the crash damaged the hangar¡¯s sprinkler facilities.
The small aircraft reportedly sharply descended shortly after takeoff before crashing into the hangar, according to local police. Australian authorities are investigating the exact cause of the accident.
It¡¯s the second light plane crash in Parafield this year, with a learner pilot having crashed on takeoff in January, according to local broadcaster ABC. In that incident, the pilot and sole occupant walked away from the crash uninjured.
¡°My thoughts are with the families and loved ones of those who have passed away, and with everyone affected by this devastating event,¡± South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said on Wednesday.
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