Plane that crashed in Virginia took off from Fort Lauderdale, investigators say

A private jet that crashed in Virginia Sunday afternoon killing five people took off from Fort Lauderdale, according to federal investigators.

The twin engine Israel Aircraft Industries 1125 Westwind Astra went down around 3 p.m. as it approached Ingalls Field Airport in Hot Springs, Virginia, according to the National Transportation Safety Administration, one of the agencies investigating the crash.

A Virginia State Police spokesman told the Associated Press that the plane exploded upon impact.

“Small crash site, everything is burnt, meaning the tail numbers are unidentifiable,” Sgt. Rick Garletts said.

Garletts told the Herald there were no survivors.

He said five people were killed: the pilot, first officer (co-pilot), and a man, woman and a young boy.

The victims had not been identified as of Monday night.

Hot Springs is about 160 miles from Richmond, Virginia’s capital.

The crash is also being investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration and the Virginia State Police.

Garletts said in an email that the passengers were supposed to attend an event at the Homestead Resort in Hot Springs. Police received that information from the attorney of the plane’s owner, who is a family friend, Garletts said.

The plane was short on its approach to the runway, struck trees, then a hillside, Garletts said.

“The remains have been sent to the Virginia Office of the Medical Examiner, Western District for positive identification,” Garletts said. “There will be no further updates from the Virginia State Police until such a time when the remains have been identified and family notification has been made.”

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.