Three Killed in Plane Crash at Santa Maria
A twin-engine plane crashed and exploded in flames shortly after takeoff from the city airport Saturday, killing three people, authorities said.
The Beechcraft 95, with three passengers aboard, went down at 12:30 p.m. a half mile west of the airport in this Santa Barbara County city, said Tommy Aina of the Federal Aviation Administration.
“We understand it just veered to the left and plunged to the ground,” he said.
The plane fell about 300 feet and exploded, causing a fire that was quickly contained, authorities said.
The identities of the victims and their destination were not immediately available. “They didn’t file a flight plan,” said police dispatcher Gloria Santos.
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