Five killed as small jet crashes into house

TWO pilots and three passengers were killed yesterday when a small plane crashed into a housing estate in Farnborough, Kent, in south-east England.

No survivors were found after the Cessna Citation 1 jet came down in Romsey Close at about 2.30pm, destroying a house and garage.

Their bodies had not yet been recovered, rescue workers said last night. Nearby residents were evacuated and accident investigators sent to the scene.

A total of eight fire engines, 40 firefighters and four fire rescue units were at the scene.

Residents of the destroyed house were understood to be on holiday at the time.

Sky News showed footage of black smoke billowing from a house that was destroyed by the crash, while another house next door was still on fire.

The television channel quoted a pilot named John who said that as he was coming in to land at nearby Biggin Hill Airport, he overheard a Mayday call on the radio from a plane carrying five passengers, including two pilots.

While the pilot had said he was experiencing “severe engine vibrations,” John said the prevailing weather conditions had been “nice and smooth” for flying.

Sky News said the crashed plane had been en route to France. The news channel reported that the plane was a twin-engined Cessna Citation 501 executive jet registered to a local charter company. Cessna makes small jets used typically by businessmen.

Eyewitnesses said the plane had soared very close to houses in the area and appeared to encounter engine trouble.