Two people are dead after a plane crashed into an Akron home on Thursday afternoon.
The crash occurred around 3:45 p.m. in the 2000 block of Canterbury Circle, a residential neighborhood in the southern part of the city.
Akron Fire said both of the deceased were located inside the aircraft.
No one in the house was injured, but two homes were evacuated.
Akron District Fire Chief Sierjie Lash said all four residents of the house were in it at the time of the crash.
“There were a couple and two children that live there,” Lash said. “They were all four home, and they were able to get out with no injuries, so we’re very fortunate that they are safe.”
Neighbor Christi Gould said she spoke with the family after the crash, and the family told her the father got everyone, including the two children who were napping upstairs, out of the home.
Gould was at home with her children at the time of the crash and said her lights flickered before she heard the plane crash into the home.
“We were sitting there, the power flickered for a few seconds, and then I heard the whining of a plane,” Gould said. “We have the regional airport up the street, and so you can hear these planes all the time, and you just heard a real quick whining of it like it was revving and then all of a sudden, ‘boom,’ explosion. And our house shook, and it scared the crap out of us. And everybody started running outside to see what happened and where it was.”
The home did catch fire, and heavy black smoke was reported in the area. Lash said crews extinguished the fire and prevented it from spreading to other homes.
“We got wind of a possible plane crash, definitely smoke, fire, flames and explosion,” Lash said. “Our fire crews came out, and they put the fire out as a house fire, and they’re currently investigating.”
The Red Cross was on the scene of the crash Thursday and is assisting the four family members impacted by the crash, it said in a Facebook post.
Authorities are asking residents to avoid the area at this time.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash and have issued the following statement:
“A Piper PA-28 crashed into a house in Akron, Ohio, around 3:45 p.m. local time on Thursday, May 14. Two people were on board. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide further updates.”
The Ohio State Highway Patrol also sent a statement:
“The Ohio State Highway Patrol reports that a 1963 Piper Cherokee single‑engine aircraft crashed into a home off Canterbury Circle in Akron, west of Interstate 77, at approximately 1545 hrs. The aircraft had departed from Akron Fulton Airport, located east of the crash site. The impact caused a structure fire, and all occupants of the residence were able to escape safely.
There were two occupants of the aircraft, both of whom sustained fatal injuries. No injuries have been reported to bystanders on the ground.
The crash remains an active investigation, and troopers, local law enforcement, fire, and EMS personnel continue to assess the scene. Residents are encouraged to avoid the area while emergency crews remain on site. More information will be provided when it becomes available.”
Thursday’s crash occurred across the street from a Topgolf, which said it evacuated its building as well. The following statement was sent to us:
“We’re aware of the unfortunate incident that has occurred across the street from our Akron venue and are actively working with local authorities as they assess the scene and investigate. The safety of our guests and team members is our top priority, and the venue has been evacuated. We have no further details to share at this time, given the ongoing nature of the investigation, and our primary focus remains on the safety and support of all impacted during this time.”