06/17/2010 // West Palm Beach, Florida, USA // Sandra Quinlan // Sandra Quinlan

Rochester, MN—Three people were tragically killed when the private plane they were occupying crashed near Rochester International Airport (RST) late Wednesday, June 16, 2010. Officials from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the deadly aviation accident, according to information provided by StarTribune.com.

Reports indicated the FAA in Minneapolis-St. Paul received a distress call from an unidentified aircraft at 11:54 a.m. The pilot, who was also unidentified, declared that the plane experienced “engine failure” north of the Rochester airport. Though the plane apparently attempted to make an emergency landing, it failed to successfully do so.

The aircraft crashed approximately 200 yards into a densely wooded area. The scene was located about 1.5 to 2 miles northwest of the airport. According to Capt. Terry Waletzki of the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office, the plane was “too damaged to get a tail number.”

A nearby resident allegedly heard the crash and rushed to the woods. However, when she called out for any survivors, there was no reply. A small fire was seemingly ignited as a result of the plane wreck.

Eight hours after the plane went down, its occupants remained inside the wreckage as rescue crews worked to get to the remote area and most likely extinguish the crash-induced blaze. The victims have yet to be identified.

Since no adverse weather conditions were reported at the time, officials did not seem to believe it could have contributed the fatal aviation accident. A full probe was expected to be underway.

Legal News Reporter: Sandra Quinlan- Legal News for Minnesota Aviation Accident Lawyers.

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