Alabama, United States: A small single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza aircraft crashed in a vacant lot near Gulf Shores International Airport on Sunday afternoon, sending both occupants to the hospital.
The incident occurred around 2 p.m. as the plane was approaching the airport for landing. According to Gulf Shores Public Information Officer Grant Brown, the aircraft clipped a tree while descending, causing it to spin and crash in a vacant lot situated between Alabama Coastal Community College and the Gulf Shores Tourism Center.
The pilot and his wife, who was the passenger, were able to evacuate the plane on their own. Both individuals were conscious and alert when first responders arrived at the scene. They were subsequently transported to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola for evaluation and treatment.
The crash site was secured by Gulf Shores Police and Fire Rescue, as well as airport management. Fortunately, the incident occurred outside the airport boundaries, so airport operations were not affected, and traffic on Alabama highway 59 remained unaffected.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been notified and is expected to send investigators to the scene to determine the cause of the crash.
Flight tracking data indicates that the aircraft departed from Paris, Texas, earlier in the day and was en route to Gulf Shores International Airport when the incident occurred.
The NTSB’s investigation will provide further insights into the circumstances leading to the crash. Authorities have not released the identities of the individuals involved at this time.
