Westerly, RI — A small plane crashed into trees at Westerly State Airport on Monday at approximately 12:05 p.m., resulting in the death of the pilot.
Authorities confirmed that the aircraft, identified as a Cessna C172, was attempting to land when it went down. The pilot, who was the sole occupant, was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to Town Manager Sean Lacey.
Emergency responders arrived at the scene, which featured the wreckage nestled in a tree line. Eyewitness accounts described the plane's condition as severely mangled.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently investigating the incident but has referred further inquiries to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). No additional details regarding the cause of the crash or any potential lane closures on nearby roadways have been released.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding aviation safety at regional airports.