3 people dead in small plane crash in western Massachusetts

Three people were killed in a small plane crash Sunday afternoon in northwestern Massachusetts, state police announced.

Massachusetts State Police said they were notified around 11:45 a.m. that a small plane crash had occurred in the area of Country Club Road in Greenfield. A short time later, responders reached the crash site, which was in the Leyden Wildlife Area.

Police later elaborated saying the crash location is in a clearing on the side of a wooded mountain on the Greenfield/Leyden town line.

The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration confirmed they were investigating after the twin-engine airplane, a Beechcraft Baron 55, crashed under unknown circumstances around 12:24 p.m. near the Leyden Wildlife Management Area, close to the Greenfield town line.

NTSB is investigating the crash of a Beechcraft Baron airplane near Greenfield, Massachusetts.

— NTSB Newsroom (@NTSB_Newsroom) January 14, 2024

Both the FAA and NTSB said there were three people on board. There were no survivors, according to Greenfield police.

State police confirmed their initial investigation reveals all three adults aboard the aircraft suffered fatal injuries. The victims were removed from the crash scene by the chief medical examiner's office.

No names have been released at this time. State police said they are aware of social media posts purporting to contain the victims' names but said they will not be releasing or confirming any names Sunday night.

Greenfield police asked people to avoid the area off of Oak Hill Acres Road, saying anyone who comes to look at the scene will be turned away.

Detectives and crime scene services personnel were processing and documenting the scene, state police said.

State troopers are providing security at the scene overnight, with the investigation by federal, state and local authorities resuming Monday morning.

The NTSB will lead the investigation to determine what happened, with assistance from the FAA.

An NTSB investigator is expected to arrive at the scene on Monday and will document the scene and examine the aircraft.

The NTSB investigation will look at the pilot, the aircraft and the operating environment. The investigator will also gather information and records on flight track data; air traffic control communications; aircraft maintenance; weather forecasts; weather and lighting conditions at the time of the crash; pilot's license, ratings and recent flight experience; 72-hour background of the pilot; witness statements; electronic devices; and any available surveillance video, including from doorbell cameras.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or has surveillance video or other information that could be relevant to the investigation is asked to contact the NTSB at witness@ntsb.gov.

The NTSB said it would not speculate about the cause of the crash, adding that a probable cause along with any contributing factors will be detailed in the agency's final report, which is expected in 12-24 months.