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Five killed in Kent plane crash | Five killed in Kent plane crash |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Two pilots and three passengers have been killed after their small plane crashed into a housing estate in Farnborough, Kent. | Two pilots and three passengers have been killed after their small plane crashed into a housing estate in Farnborough, Kent. |
No survivors were found after the Cessna Citation 1 jet came down in Romsey Close at about 1430 BST. | No survivors were found after the Cessna Citation 1 jet came down in Romsey Close at about 1430 BST. |
The plane - which was en route from nearby Biggin Hill airfield to France - burst into flames, destroying a garage and house, which was empty at the time. | The plane - which was en route from nearby Biggin Hill airfield to France - burst into flames, destroying a garage and house, which was empty at the time. |
No-one on the ground was badly injured, but two people were treated for shock. | No-one on the ground was badly injured, but two people were treated for shock. |
The people who live in the damaged house were away on holiday. | The people who live in the damaged house were away on holiday. |
They have returned since the crash and are being comforted by friends. | They have returned since the crash and are being comforted by friends. |
'We're going down' | 'We're going down' |
It is thought the plane got into difficulties just after take-off from Biggin Hill. | It is thought the plane got into difficulties just after take-off from Biggin Hill. |
As I turned off the runway, I looked back and saw the plane drop out of the sky JonPilot at Biggin Hill In pictures: Plane crash href="/1/hi/uk/7321902.stm">How residents saw it | |
Andrew Walters, chairman of Biggin Hill Airport, confirmed that the passengers were on a business trip to France. The aircraft had just taken off when the pilot made an emergency call and asked for permission to land again. | Andrew Walters, chairman of Biggin Hill Airport, confirmed that the passengers were on a business trip to France. The aircraft had just taken off when the pilot made an emergency call and asked for permission to land again. |
"Unfortunately it crashed before reaching the airport," Mr Walters said. | "Unfortunately it crashed before reaching the airport," Mr Walters said. |
A pilot named as John, who was landing another plane at Biggin Hill, heard the mayday call. The Cessna pilot reported "severe engine vibrations", he said. | A pilot named as John, who was landing another plane at Biggin Hill, heard the mayday call. The Cessna pilot reported "severe engine vibrations", he said. |
He told the BBC: "You could hear the alarms in the cockpit. | He told the BBC: "You could hear the alarms in the cockpit. |
"The pilot came back over the radio a second or two later and said 'We're going down, we're going down'. | "The pilot came back over the radio a second or two later and said 'We're going down, we're going down'. |
"The radio stayed live, and as I turned off the runway I looked back and I saw the plane basically drop out of the sky. | "The radio stayed live, and as I turned off the runway I looked back and I saw the plane basically drop out of the sky. |
"And then the radio went dead and black smoke came up from over the hill." | "And then the radio went dead and black smoke came up from over the hill." |
'Felt the heat' | 'Felt the heat' |
Local residents said they heard a "roar" and saw the plane flying along at a "funny angle" with its tail down and nose up. In the aftermath of the crash, they said the air was thick with the smell of fuel. | Local residents said they heard a "roar" and saw the plane flying along at a "funny angle" with its tail down and nose up. In the aftermath of the crash, they said the air was thick with the smell of fuel. |
Matthew Wincott, 37, who lives opposite, said: "I'd just finished lunch when I heard an almighty roar. I looked out of the back window and saw this stunning jet coming into view. | Matthew Wincott, 37, who lives opposite, said: "I'd just finished lunch when I heard an almighty roar. I looked out of the back window and saw this stunning jet coming into view. |
CESSNA CITATION 1 First produced in 1976Two Pratt & Whitney enginesCapacity of eight peopleMax speed 647km/hMax take-off weight 10,850lbsProduction ceased 1985 class="" href="/1/hi/uk/7321720.stm">Eyewitness accounts | |
"It was banking slightly. I ran out of the front of the house. It just hit the ground and burst into flames. | "It was banking slightly. I ran out of the front of the house. It just hit the ground and burst into flames. |
"It was absolute carnage. I couldn't get anywhere near the plane, but I could feel the heat." | "It was absolute carnage. I couldn't get anywhere near the plane, but I could feel the heat." |
Another eyewitness, Jamie Foot, 17, was watching TV on the sofa when he saw the plane "come over the top of the garage". | Another eyewitness, Jamie Foot, 17, was watching TV on the sofa when he saw the plane "come over the top of the garage". |
"There was a massive explosion and a big fireball and smokeball went up in the air," he said. | "There was a massive explosion and a big fireball and smokeball went up in the air," he said. |
Locals have said it was a "miracle" no-one living in the street was injured or killed and that no-one was at home in the house which bore the brunt of the crash. | Locals have said it was a "miracle" no-one living in the street was injured or killed and that no-one was at home in the house which bore the brunt of the crash. |
Next-door neighbour Christine Diamond, said the owners, Pat and Ed Harman, were away on holiday. | Next-door neighbour Christine Diamond, said the owners, Pat and Ed Harman, were away on holiday. |
"They are going to be absolutely devastated by this, but I'm just so glad that they weren't inside at the time," she said. | "They are going to be absolutely devastated by this, but I'm just so glad that they weren't inside at the time," she said. |
Ian Todd, of the London Ambulance Service, said he was "grateful that there hasn't been a greater loss of life." | Ian Todd, of the London Ambulance Service, said he was "grateful that there hasn't been a greater loss of life." |
In the wake of the crash, local residents were evacuated. People living around the site will not be able to return to their homes on Sunday night. | In the wake of the crash, local residents were evacuated. People living around the site will not be able to return to their homes on Sunday night. |
Accident inspectors were sent to the scene, while eight fire engines and 40 firefighters worked to tackle the blaze. | Accident inspectors were sent to the scene, while eight fire engines and 40 firefighters worked to tackle the blaze. |
Bodies in the wreckage have not yet been recovered. Work at the crash site has been suspended for the night and will resume on Monday, police said. | Bodies in the wreckage have not yet been recovered. Work at the crash site has been suspended for the night and will resume on Monday, police said. |
Have you witnessed the plane crash? Were you in the area? Tell us your experience using the form below. | Have you witnessed the plane crash? Were you in the area? Tell us your experience using the form below. |
You can also send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or MMS to 61124. | You can also send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or MMS to 61124. |
Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |