AFTON, Minn. – Two individuals tragically lost their lives in a small plane crash near a residential area in Afton, Minnesota. The incident occurred on the 15000 block of Afton Hills Drive South, where Washington County officials responded to reports of a possible explosion around 9:43 a.m.
Upon arrival, emergency crews discovered a small airplane fully engulfed in flames near a residential home. The victims, an 85-year-old from White Bear Lake and a 65-year-old from Baytown Township, did not survive the crash.
Neighbors recounted hearing the sound of the engine sputtering before witnessing the plane descending rapidly from the sky, followed by a loud crash and a plume of black smoke. The aircraft had just departed from Lake Elmo Airport before spiraling out of control.
Fortunately, the nearby house remained unscathed, with only minimal smoke damage to the garage. The occupants of the home at the time of the crash were unharmed, although they were said to have heard the commotion.
The ill-fated aircraft was identified as a Globe GC1 airplane. The National Transportation Safety Board has initiated an investigation into the crash to determine the root cause of the tragic incident.
As authorities continue to piece together the details surrounding the crash, the community remains in mourning over the loss of the two individuals. The investigation is ongoing, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.