Wichita Mid-Continent Airport in Kansas is the sight of an air disaster, as a small aircraft crashed into a building at the facility, killing at least four people. The accident occurred when the pilot of a small airplane lost control of his vehicle soon after takeoff from the airport.
The aircraft crashed into the FlightSafety International Cessna pilot's center, which was housing roughly 100 people at the time of the incident. At least four people were confirmed dead immediately following the accident, and four people remain missing, according to authorities. Five people were immediately transported to Via Christi St. Francis Hospital, three of whom suffered severe injuries in the crash. Only one of the injuries is critical, and one victim is being assessed.
The pilot of the Beechcraft King Air 200 who lost control of his airplane is believed to have been the only person inside the doomed craft. The pilot reported loss of engine power at 9:50 a.m., shortly after takeoff. Reports say the pilot turned his craft around, attempting to make an emergency landing back on the strip. The vehicle came down vertically, crashing into the roof of the populated building.
Emergency responders from the Wichita Fire Department and police department responded to the accident, as did the Kansas Highway Patrol, Sedgwick County Sheriff's Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
"Fire officials report the crash resulted in a two-alarm fire that is ongoing. Firefighters have been evacuated from the building which has been declared unstable," Van Williams, City Communications officer for the city of Wichita, reported.
That building was later deemed to be stable enough for emergency workers to access, in order to search for those who still remain missing.
"The pilot was the only person on the plane, but it's unclear how badly he was hurt. The 1999 King Air B200 was owned by Beechcraft, and flight records show the plane was en route to Arkansas. Wichita Police are asking that residents avoid the area unless they have a flight to catch," KAKE, a local television station, reported.
Wichita Mid-Continent Airport is located seven miles west of downtown Wichita. It is the busiest - and largest - airport in the Sunflower State. The facility opened on Halloween day 1954, an after completion of a new terminal, the airport will be renamed the Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport, beginning on March 31, 2015.
Flights in and out of Wichita Mid-Continent Airport remain largely unaffected by the crash, although a few delays have been reported.
