Emergency personnel were at the scene at Mansfield Municipal Airport after the crash, which occurred at 12:36 p.m. Saturday.
WATCH LIVECrews are responding to a plane crash in Mansfield that left two dead. (NO AUDIO)
Posted by Boston 25 News on Saturday, February 23, 2019
Police confirmed around 2:15 p.m. that the two people involved had died from the injuries they suffered in the crash.
#BREAKING: State Police confirms two people have died as a result of their injuries sustained during the plane crash in Mansfield. The scene is secured, and officials are awaiting the arrival of the NTSB. #Boston25
— Courtney Spinelli (@CourtSpinelliTV) February 23, 2019
The plane involved in the incident was a Cessna 172, according to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The plane was owned and operated by Horizon Aviation of Norwood.
WFXT learned that the two victims, both males, were an instructor and student at the school, and the plane had taken off from Norwood Airport. The pilot was identified as 31-year-old Sydney Miti of Waltham, and the student was identified as 18-year-old Julian Lattermann of Dover.
"He was happy, he really loved flying," Miti's wife said. "It was his passion. When I spoke to him, he was happy and it was going to be a good day. The last phone call I would have expected today was he’s gone. I don’t believe it, It can’t be, it can’t be true and until I see him, I’m not going to believe it.”
“He’s good loving person. I’m still trying to believe that he’s not coming home today.”
— Elysia Rodriguez (@ElysiaBoston25) February 24, 2019
Flight instructor Sydney Miti and his 18 year old student Julian Lattermann both died today when their plane crashed at Mansfield Airport. Miti’s wife says he leaves behind a 2 yr old son. pic.twitter.com/QgltaMi0dr
No mayday call was made, and first responders said it was too late to try and save the pair.
"I've never seen a plane, nose dived, bent out of shape like that," Kevin Haley, who lives nearby, said.
Massachusetts State Police patrols, detectives and crime scene services all responded, as did Mansfield police and fire.
The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed Saturday afternoon that it would be investigating the incident, saying they would be sending someone to look into the crash as early as Sunday morning.
NTSB investigating crash Saturday of a Cessna 172 in Mansfield, MA.
— NTSB_Newsroom (@NTSB_Newsroom) February 23, 2019
At about 12:36 p.m. today, a small plane crashed and caught fire at #Mansfield Airport. @MansfieldFireMA on scene and working on fire suppression. There are believed to be occupants onboard, but unknown number and condition at this time. Further information to follow.
— Mass State Police (@MassStatePolice) February 23, 2019
The FAA says it will investigate the crash, while the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will determine the probable cause of the accident.
First responders confirm that 2 men were killed in the crash. They were an instructor and student from Horizon Aviation in Norwood. They left Norwood airport at 11:30a and crashed here in Mansfield one hour later. I’ll have a live report with more info at 6 on @boston25 pic.twitter.com/mes5TSQr68
— Natalie Rubino (@newswithnatalie) February 23, 2019
"It's just so shocking," Rita Muldoon, who lives nearby, said. "My heart, like, imagine if they were learning how to fly. You'd never think that would happen. It's so sad."
Only private jets fly out of the Mansfield Municipal Airport, and the crash happened right in front of the staff at the airport's restaurant.
They released a statement on Facebook, offering their condolences following the tragic incident.
"Hangar 12 would like to offer our deepest sympathy to all those involved or impacted by the tragic incident that occurred at the Mansfield Municipal Airport earlier today," the statement read. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the occupants of that aircraft. This is a horrific event and we offer our condolences"
Mansfield PD, MFD, and other emergency services are currently managing a small aircraft crash at the Mansfield Airport....
Posted by Mansfield, MA Police Department on Saturday, February 23, 2019
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