A tragic aviation accident occurred on the morning of Thursday, December 18, in North Carolina, after a private jet crashed while attempting to land at Statesville Regional Airport, according to local and federal authorities. Multiple fatalities have been reported, although the exact number of victims has not yet been confirmed.
Initial information from local law enforcement and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) indicates that the crash occurred shortly after 10:15 a.m. local time. Bill Hamby, deputy chief of the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office, told CNN that emergency crews responded immediately to the scene, where the severity of the incident was confirmed.
What is known about the aircraft and the crash
According to the FAA, the aircraft was a Cessna C550, a jet commonly used for executive and corporate travel. The agency confirmed that the crash occurred at approximately 10:20 a.m., during a landing maneuver at Statesville Regional Airport.
Although early reports suggested the incident may have taken place shortly after takeoff, the FAA clarified that the aircraft was in its final approach phase, making the exact sequence of events a key focus of the ongoing investigation.
Federal authorities lead the investigation
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation, with technical assistance from the FAA, in line with established protocols for fatal aviation accidents in the United States. Investigators will review flight data, mechanical conditions, air traffic communications, and operational factors to determine the cause of the crash.
