Two small planes collided mid-air over North Las Vegas Airport around noon on Sunday, leaving four people dead, officials said.
According to a statement issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the two personal aircraft were identified as a single-engine Piper PA-46 and a single-engine Cessna 172.
The Piper PA-46 was preparing to land when it struck the Cessna 172 at high speed. Both aircraft burst into flames. The Piper crashed into a field, with the other going into the water retention pond.
“Preliminary information indicates that the Piper PA-46 was preparing to land when it collided with the Cessna 172,” said the FAA. “The Piper crashed into … a field east of Runway 30-Right and the Cessna fell into a water-retention pond.”
City fire department officials said each plane had two people on board. “There were no survivors,” said a statement from the Clark County Department of Aviation.
The names of the four individuals killed in the tragedy have not been released. North Las Vegas Police have confirmed the casualties in the crash. “I can confirm that two planes have crashed resulting in multiple fatalities,” said North Las Vegas Police Department Public Information Officer Alexander Cuevas.
An ongoing investigation into the collision is currently being led by the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Investigators are assessing the damages.
Photos circulating online show officials looking for clues on the scene of the crash. Road closures on Carey Road due to the crash at the south end of the Nevada airport lasted into the evening.
“The NTSB and the FAA have taken over control of the investigation,” said Cuevas. “We are assisting where requested.”
