An East Haven plane crash has left at least two people dead after authorities located the bodies of the pilot and a child on Friday afternoon.
The crash took place in a neighborhood of the working-class Connecticut city on Friday when a plane went down near an airport. Two homes were left in flames when the multi-engine, propeller-driven plane crashed, and authorities believe at least one more person is dead.
Those dead in the East Haven plane crash include the pilot and two children who lived in one of the homes. Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy said the plane may have had two passengers as well, but that has not been verified.
Officials said there is little hope of finding any survivors from the East Haven plane crash.
“We haven’t recovered anybody at this point and we presume there is going to be a very bad outcome,” East Haven Fire Chief Douglas Jackson said early Friday afternoon, just before the two bodies were found.
The plane had left Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, and before the 11:25 am crash the pilot did not relay any signs of distress. Neighbors near the crash site said they didn’t hear an engine at all , just a loud noise and a thump.
Inside the home was a woman and her two children, ages 1 and 13, authorities said. A neighbor ran into the home to try to find the children, but had to drag the woman out and leave when the flames became too strong.
“We are doing everything we possibly can for the mom,” said East Haven Mayor Joseph Maturo. “Our hearts go out to her and her family.”
Officials are trying to sift through the destruction of the East Haven plane crash to determine if there are other victims, but it is difficult given what officials called “total devastation” in the home hit by the plane.