A tragic plane crash in Westchester County Airport on Thursday, December 12, 2024, claimed the life of one person and left another critically injured. Authorities reported that the incident took place shortly after the pilot experienced engine failure.
According to The New York Times, the small single-engine TECNAM P-2008 aircraft crashed around 7 p.m. on the grassy median of Interstate 684, near Exit 2 in Harrison.
This happened approximately two miles from Westchester County Airport in White Plains, shortly after the pilot had communicated engine trouble, as confirmed by New York State Police and the Federal Aviation Administration.
The small plane departed from Linden Airport in New Jersey at approximately 6:09 p.m., heading towards the Westchester County Airport, as tracked by The New York Post using flightradar24. The aircraft reached a maximum altitude of 3,150 feet before descending rapidly near Exit 2, which leads to the New York airport.
As reported by ABC7, there was another pilot who saw the plane go down as they were waiting to take off. While speaking to Air Traffic Contol, this other pilot said:
"I don't know if it'll help much but Execjet 818 we saw him looked like he went down there to the right past the netjets building behind it,"
Aftermath of the Westchester County Plane Crash
The New York State Police has taken to their X account to keep people updated on highway closings as a result of the crash. In their latest tweet, they informed people that Interstate 684 is closed in both directions:
"🚨Traffic Alert 🚨 Interstate 684 is closed at Exit 2 on the N/B side and at Exit 3 on the S/B side due to a small plane crash. Local detours in place. Closure expected to be significant. Please avoid the area. T/Harrison, Westchester County."
Here's what Governor Kathy Hochul said about the plane crash in an official statement:
“I have been briefed on a small aircraft crash near Exit 2 on I-684 in the City of Harrison in Westchester County. State Police immediately responded with local emergency responders and determined there were two people on board, and one person has been confirmed deceased and the other is in serious condition."
Gov. Hochul continued to inform the people of New York about the updates. He said:
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"The highway has been closed in both directions as the investigation continues. The crash also caused an aviation gas spill, which DEC is working rapidly to contain and clean up. My heart goes out to the loved ones of those on board during this tragic incident, and I am praying for a safe recovery for the injured individual"
An investigation into what caused the crash is being conducted by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
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