Two injured in private plane crash at Portland Jetport
Jul. 8—Two people have been taken to the hospital after a plane crashed at the Portland International Jetport Friday afternoon.
The extent of their injuries was not immediately available.
The private plane, a small Cessna, crashed after taking off shortly before 4 p.m., according to an update from the city. The aircraft "broke apart" when it crashed on one of the airport's secondary runways, according to Paul Bradbury, airport director. Photos of the wrecked plane showed the tail section of the plane had partially split apart from the cockpit.
Bradbury said during a media briefing later Friday that he believes the plane was taking off when it caught fire, and that the cause of the fire is under investigation, according to News Center Maine.
Portland firefighters put out the fire and provided medical treatment at the scene, according to the city.
The two injured were the only two people aboard the plane. They have not been identified.
The primary runway was not impacted. The jetport was closed temporarily Friday before flights resumed at 4:54 p.m.
Five inbound flights were diverted but are now expected to return to Portland. They are:
Southwest Flight 3102
United Flight 2465
United 785
Frontier Flight 1658
American Flight 4503
This story will be updated.
