Plane crash in Ludlow leaves two people dead

LUDLOW, MA (WGGB/WSHM) – Authorities have released new details on a deadly plane crash in Ludlow as the investigation into what happened continues.

Western Mass News learned Monday morning, that the aircraft was a Piper PA-28 airplane that had flown out of Northampton before it crashed.

“The preliminary information we have is that the plane departed from Northampton (Airport) and crashed in a wooded area under unknown circumstances,” noted a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) spokesperson.

On Saturday night, Ludlow Police and Fire explained in a joint statement that town officials were informed of a missing plane, believed to be in the Ludlow or Belchertown area.

This was around 9 p.m. in the evening.

We’re told reports started coming in as well around the same time indicating that a low-flying plane was in distress, while other callers reported hearing a crash.

The exact location of the crash was unknown until a Civil Air Patrol pilot used a portable beacon receiver while riding along with Ludlow Police. The beacon led emergency crews to a wooded, remote, and swampy area off Center Street.

They were then able to use drones to find the plane’s exact location where it was located in approximately 4 feet of water.

Emergency crews searched for anyone on-board.

According to Payton North, spokesperson for the Hampden District Attorney’s Office, two people were found dead.

We’re told planking had to be laid down to access the scene and remove the two victims so they could be transported to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office. Their identities have not been released at this time.

”The Western Mass Technical Rescue Team was instrumental in gaining access to the deceased and removing them in a manner that was both safe and respectful,” the joint statement said.

Emergency crews remained on-scene overnight Sunday with removal of the plane expected to resume Monday. We’re told an investigation is now underway into what happened.

“An NTSB investigator arrived on scene Sunday to begin the process of documenting the scene and examining the aircraft which came to rest on its side in a creek,” noted an NTSB spokesperson, “The wreckage is in the process of being recovered to a secure facility for further examination.”

The incident remains under investigation by MA State Police detectives assigned to the Hampden DA’s office, in collaboration with Ludlow Police, the FAA, and the NTSB.

Western Mass News will continue to follow this story and will have more details as they become available.