14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, October 03, 2012 in Gary, IN
Aircraft: CIRRUS DESIGN CORP SR22, registration: N308PJ
Injuries: 2 Fatal.
This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed. NTSB investigators either traveled in support of this investigation or conducted a significant amount of investigative work without any travel, and used data obtained from various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.
On October 3, 2012, at 1120 central daylight time, a Cirrus SR22, N308PJ, operated by a commercial pilot collided with terrain while flying an instrument approach at the Gary/Chicago International Airport (KGYY), Gary, Indiana. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane sustained substantial damage from impact and postimpact fire. The flight was being operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Instrument meteorological conditions prevailed and an instrument flight rules (IFR) flight plan was filed. The flight originated from the Smyrna Airport (KMQY), Smyrna, Tennessee, at 0925.
The pilot requested and was cleared for the RNAV(GPS)Y RWY 30 instrument approach into KGYY. The pilot was issued vectors for the approach and was subsequently cleared for the approach by the Chicago TRACON. The pilot was subsequently issued a frequency change and instructed to contact the KGYY air traffic control tower. The pilot did not check in on the tower frequency. The airplane impacted trees and the terrain approximately 1 mile southeast of KGYY.
Weather conditions recorded at KGYY at 1140 were: wind variable at 6 knots, visibility 5 miles, ceiling 900 feet overcast, temperature 17 degrees Celsius, dew point 13 degrees Celsius, and altimeter 29.97 inches of mercury.
Obituary
Patsy John Crisafi, 48, of St. Augustine, Fla., formerly of Connellsville, died Wednesday Oct. 3, 2012 in Lake County, Ind. He was born Jan. 11, 1964 in Allegheny County, Pa., a son of the late Patsy and Catherine "Kitty" Valvassori Crisafi. Patsy was a loving son, brother, uncle and friend.
Patsy was successful businessman and entrepreneur. Following a successful 18-year career with CSX Transportation, which included positions in Connellsville, Pa., Atlanta, Ga. and Jacksonville, Fla., he left to pursue other business interests in the railroad industry. Patsy served as executive vice president of Utilco Co., in Tifton, Ga. He was the co-founder, principal and executive vice president of Roadway Worker Training, Inc. (RWT), a successful railroad industry consulting, training and support company.
Among his other business interests were; Railroad Protective Services, Inc. (RPS), founder and president, C&C RWT, LLC, co-founder and partner, Crisafi-Maloy Development, Inc., Crisafi Services, Inc., National Pike Properties, LLC, VHMC, LLC and Gandy Air, LLC. Patsy was a commercially rated pilot. His special railroad expertise was railroad operating rules, safety and technical training and the development and implementation of railroad safety policies.
Patsy was a long-time member of St. Rita"s Roman Catholic Church, Elks Lodge, the NRC and AREMA. Patsy was a long-term sponsor and active supporter of Big Brothers and Sisters of St. Augustine, Fla. He was a member of the hunting group, Sugar Bottom in Montgomery, Ala., and a willing and generous contributor to many veterans and children"s causes. Patsy loved and lived for his family and legions of friends. Among his many joys were his dogs, airplanes, motorcycles, hunting, cars, flying and off shore fishing, diving, boating, cooking, entertaining and his passion for his work. Patsy graduated from Connellsville High School in 1981.
He is survived, loved and sadly missed by his sister, Lisa Crisafi Nudo and her husband Ken, and nephew, Devin Nudo, all of Connellsville, Pa.; his fiancŽe, Jackie Carter of St. Augustine, Fla.; and her son, Adam of Millwood, Ga.
Friends will be received from 7-9 p.m. Wednesday and 2-4;7-9 p.m. Thursday in the Brooks Funeral Home, Inc., 111 E. Green St., Connellsville, Pa., where a Blessing Service will be held Friday at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Rita"s R.C. Church, Connellsville. with the Rev. Robert Lubic as celebrant. Interment will follow in St. Rita"s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made to St. Rita"s Cemetery Care Fund, the ASPCA, Humane Society or the Big Brothers of America in memory of Patsy John Crisafi.
To sign the guest registry, please visit www.brooksfuneralhomes.com
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Obituary
VACCARELLO
VINCENT "VINNIE"
45, of St. Johns, FL, was delivered to God in Heaven along with his dear friend, Patsy Crisafi, on October 3, 2012. Vinnie was a native of Pittsburgh, PA, and a die-hard Steeler fan! He was a graduate of Chartiers Valley High School and Duquesne University. He obtained a Masters degree in business at Jacksonville University. He was an appointed member of the NRC Board of Directors. Vinnie was a very successful entrepreneur and co-owner of All Rail Road Service of Jacksonville, FL. He was the all-time leading tackler (440) and a Hall of Fame member of the Duquesne Dukes football program. Larger than any personal accomplishments was Vinnie's HEART and the LOVE and GENEROSITY he gave to ALL. Our beloved Vinnie is survived by his wife, April; and two sons, Victor and Anthony; mother and father, Mary and John Vaccarello; brothers, John and Eric and their families; mother and father-in-law, Carol and Gene Piscopo; brother and sister-in-law and their families; dear friend and business partner, Mike Heridia; many loving aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Mass will be held on October 20, 2012 at Saint Simon & Jude Church, 1551 Greentree Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15220 at 11:00 a.m. Following church services, all friends and family are invited to the "Celebration of Vinnie's Life" to be held at Hilton Garden Inn - Southpointe, 1000 Corporate Drive, Canonsburg, PA 15317 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations are being accepted at San Juan Del Rio's "Building Fund", 1718 State Route 13, Saint Johns, FL 32259.
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Photo Courtesy of Roadway Worker Training Inc.
Plane piloted by Crisafi (right) crashed Oct. 3, killing him and construction business associate Vaccarello in Gary, Ind.
Two rail construction Execs die in private plane crash
(Indiana) -- Two veteran rail construction executives based in Florida died Oct. 3 when the private plane they jointly owned and was being piloted by one of them crashed near the Gary, Ind., airport. Killed were Patsy J. "PJ" Crisafi, 45, co-founder and executive vice president of Roadway Worker Training Inc., St. Augustine, Fla., and Vincent “Vinnie” Vaccarello, 48, co-founder and co-president of All Railroad Services Corp., also based there. Crisafi was believed to have been the pilot. . According to Baker, Crisafi’s funeral is set for Oct. 12 in Connellsville, Pa. Services for Vaccarello are set for Oct. 13 in St. Johns, Fla. and a reception will be in Jacksonville.
The cause of the crash was under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board, but witnesses reported either a small explosion or or some sort of engine failure on the plane while it was still in the air,” says Chuck Baker, president of the Washington, D.C.-based National Rail Construction and Maintenance Association, of which both were current board members.
The group’s members include rail and transit construction contractors, engineers and suppliers, says its website.
Crisafi’s firm specializes in railroad consulting, employee training and track safety and support; Vaccarello’s serves short line, transit, and Class 1 railroads, providing pole line removal, tree trimming, maintenance of vegetation at railroad crossings and numerous other services, according to the firms’ websites.
Crisafi was an 18-year management veteran of CSX Transportation, while Vaccarello is a former vice president of operations for Balfour Beatty Rail. Vaccarello's current firm has about 135 employees in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, according to the firm.
“Vinnie and Patsy were both well-known and respected in the industry,” says John August, executive vice president of RailWorks Corp., New York City. He says the executives, who often worked together and co-owned the Cirrus SR-22 aircraft, were en route to the Chicago area for a meeting with Canadian National Railroad engineering officials.
Both of the firms had been subcontractors to RailWorks on past projects, says August.
According to Baker, Crisafi’s funeral is set for Oct. 12 in Connellsville, Pa. Services for Vaccarello are set for Oct. 13 in St. Johns, Fla. and a reception will be in Jacksonville.
http://www.aggregateresearch.com
The Lake County Coroner has identified the plane crash victims as Vincent Vaccarello and Patsy Crisafi, both of St. Augustine, according to a news release.
The Associated Press -
CROWN POINT, Ind. --
The two men killed when a small airplane crashed into a wooded
area about a mile short of Gary-Chicago International Airport in
northwestern Indiana have been identified as being from St. Augustine,
Fla.
Lake County coroner Merrilee Frey (fry) said in a news release she used dental records to identify the remains of Vincent Vaccarello and Patsy Crisafi. She didn't release any further information about the men. A telephone message seeking further information was left Friday night by The Associated Press.
Aviation officials haven't yet released any information about what caused the crash. The single-engine plane was registered to Gandy AIR LLC in St. Augustine, Fla., according to the FAA. The plane last taken off from Smyrna, Tenn.
Previous version:
A St. Johns County
businessman could be one of two men killed after a private plane his
company owned crashed in Gary, Ind., on Wednesday.Lake County coroner Merrilee Frey (fry) said in a news release she used dental records to identify the remains of Vincent Vaccarello and Patsy Crisafi. She didn't release any further information about the men. A telephone message seeking further information was left Friday night by The Associated Press.
Aviation officials haven't yet released any information about what caused the crash. The single-engine plane was registered to Gandy AIR LLC in St. Augustine, Fla., according to the FAA. The plane last taken off from Smyrna, Tenn.
Previous version:
The plane was registered to Gandy Air LLC of St. Augustine, but as of Thursday officials had not released the names of the two victims, pending notification of families.
Managing member of Gandy Air is Patsy J. Crisafi, according to business records. The company has an address on Ryan Road.
The Cirrus SR22 single-engine plane crashed into the woods behind West Gary Lighthouse Charter School around 11:18 a.m. on Wednesday and burst into flames.
The victims had not been identified as of Thursday, said Jessica Metros, administrative officer for the Lake County Coroner’s Office.
Ed Wuellner, executive director at the Northeast Florida Regional Airport in St. Johns County, confirmed that Crisafi has had a hangar at the airport since 2008, but he said he did not know Crisafi personally.
Crisafi is listed as the executive vice president for Roadway Worker Training of Jacksonville, president of Crisafi Services and director of Railroad Protective Services, according to business records.
Stephen Ramsey, who is listed as a business associate, declined to comment and would not confirm whether Crisafi was on the plane. Another person listed on the business records declined to comment.
The Cirrus SR22 left the Northeast Florida Regional Airport around 3 p.m. on Tuesday and was scheduled to arrive in Smyrna, Tenn., around 5:30 p.m., according to flight records.
Smyrna/Rutherford County Airport Director John Black said he didn’t know who owned the plane or who might have been onboard, according to the Associated Press. He said the plane arrived at the airport Tuesday night and departed Wednesday morning.
The plane was enroute from Smyrna to the Gary/Chicago International Airport when it crashed, according to the Gary Police Department.
Investigators have said the plane did not send a distress signal before crashing, according to First Coast News.
Lake County Coroner’s Office officials removed the bodies of two men from the wreckage around 5:35 p.m. Wednesday.
Delores Hinton, who lives nearby and saw the crash, said the plane “exploded in the air” over her house, according to the Associated Press. “I said, ‘What was that?’ The next thing I know, it was down,” she said.
Gary Police Department spokeswoman Cpl. Gabrielle King said there was not an update to the investigation as of Thursday evening.
Cause of the crash is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration.
http://staugustine.com
October 01, 2012 5:45 pm • By Susan Brown
CROWN POINT | Newly named Lake County Coroner Merrilee Frey has wasted no time since her September 15 swearing-in, from revamping office protocol to replacing defective equipment to revising the budget methodology, she said Monday.
Frey and her top staff -- Chief Deputy David Pastrick and Administrative Officer Jessica Metros -- announced the host of changes, some immediate and some in the making, such as establishing closer ties with law enforcement to reduce costs.
Ten days in office, Frey has ordered the inventory of equipment and the immediate replacement of defective equipment, including autopsy carts, as identified by longtime staff.
In the last two weeks, the evidence room has been nearly emptied of stored personal belongings, now returned to families as a means of closure, she said.
Having lost two death investigators and a photographer to cutbacks, she found services to have been eroded, she said.
The remaining staff is limited and will be cross-trained to a defined standard of professionalism, she said.
Metros said she and Pastrick do not hold new positions, as rumored. Rather, they replace two individuals who were dismissed, she said.
A forensic nurse and working on her state certification as a coroner, Frey said a safe working environment will be provided to all employees. Employees are exposed to disease in both the transporting of the deceased and in the conducting of the autopsies, she said.
To minimize the cost of the new protocols, the office is partnering with the Lake County Health Department.
Frey also anticipates working closely with Lake County Prosecutor Bernard Carter and Sheriff John Buncich, both to work as a law enforcement team and to defray costs to taxpayers.
She has requested an audit by the State Board of Accounts to learn the situation of the office's accounts, she said.
Story and comments: http://www.nwitimes.com
CROWN POINT | Lake County Coroner Merrilee Frey said an examination by an expert in dental matching this afternoon could provide a positive identification on the two men killed in a plane crash in Gary Wednesday morning.
The move comes after the coroner's office was contacted by individuals believing the victims are their loved ones, Frey said.
"They believe their loved ones were on the plane and provided us with dental records," Frey said Friday afternoon.
Frey declined to provide further details about the families and their hometowns.
Frey said a forensic odontologist will be conducting the examination this afternoon, comparing dental records provided by loved ones believing the men are their family members. Frey and Chief Deputy Coroner David Pastrick will attend the examination, she said.
"We've worked very diligently on this case," Frey said. "I, myself, as coroner was out at the scene throughout the day Wednesday and returned yesterday morning."
Frey said she and her team of forensic pathologists worked at the scene until 3 p.m. Thursday gathering evidence to assist in positively identifying the victims.
If the dental records do not provide the information needed to positively identify the men, Frey said, her office may consider using DNA testing.
The men were traveling in a Cirrus SR22, registered to Gandry Air LLC of Florida, and were scheduled to arrive at the Gary/Chicago International Airport at 11:19 a.m. when they crashed in a wooded area near 7th Avenue and Clark Road.
No one else was injured in the crash.
Story and comments: http://www.nwitimes.com
Tests Needed To ID Plane Crash Victims
GARY, Ind. (AP) - A coroner said it might be weeks before it positively identifies the two people killed when a small plane traveling from Smyrna crashed into a wooded area about a mile short of Gary/Chicago International Airport in northwestern Indiana.
Lake County coroner Merrilee Frey said investigators from her office spent hours at the scene soon after Wednesday's crash and returned the next day to complete their recovery work.
Frey told WLPR-FM that medical examiners will use dental records and DNA tests to confirm identities of the victims.
Aviation officials haven't yet released any information about what caused the crash. The single-engine plane was registered to a St. Augustine, Florida, group and had last taken off from Smyrna, Tennessee.
Story and comments: http://www.newschannel5.com
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N308PJ
http://registry.faa.gov/N308PJ
A former Connellsville man was one of two men killed when a single-engine plane crashed Wednesday morning into a wooded area about a mile from the Gary/Chicago International Airport, in Gary, Ind., officials said.
Multiple sources confirmed that Patsy J. Crisafi, of Ryan Road in St. Augustine, Fla. and formerly of Connellsville, was killed when his Cirrus SR22 plane went down at 11:18 a.m. as it approached the Gary-based airfield.
Gary police Cmdr. Sean A. Jones said officials with the Lake County Coroner’s Office removed two bodies from the scene around 5:30 p.m.
IDENTIFICATION
Regis#: 308PJ Make/Model: SR22 Description: SR-22
Date: 10/03/2012 Time: 1619
Event Type: Accident Highest Injury: Fatal Mid Air: N Missing: N
Damage: Destroyed
LOCATION
City: GARY State: IN Country: US
DESCRIPTION
AIRCRAFT CRASHED UNDER UNKNOWN CIRCUMSTANCES, THE 2 PERSONS ON BOARD WERE
FATALLY INJURED, NEAR GARY, IN
INJURY DATA Total Fatal: 2
# Crew: 2 Fat: 2 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Pass: 0 Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
# Grnd: Fat: 0 Ser: 0 Min: 0 Unk:
OTHER DATA
Activity: Unknown Phase: Unknown Operation: OTHER
FAA FSDO: SOUTH BEND, IN (GL17) Entry date: 10/04/2012 #
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N308PJ
http://registry.faa.gov/N308PJ
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Action News has learned a businessman from Saint Augustine is among the fatalities in a plane crash in Indiana.
The single-engine plane crashed Wednesday morning into a wooded area about a mile from the Gary Airport.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration the plane, a Cirrus SR22 aircraft, was registered to Gandy AIR LLC in St. Augustine, Fla.
The local man who owns that plane and company is Patsy Crisafi. A phone call to the business rang unanswered on Wednesday. Sources tell Action News, he is one of two people who died in the crash.
According to the FAA, the pilot of the plane was killed. They have not released that person’s identity.
Friends and coworkers of Crisafi tell Action News he is a pilot. They say he typically stores his plane at the Northeast Florida Regional Airport.
We still do not know if Crisafi was flying this plane.
The single-engine plane slammed into the ground about 400 yards from a school with hundreds of children inside. The school was locked down for a period of time on Wednesday.
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N308PJ
http://registry.faa.gov/N308PJ
Lake County Coroner Merrilee Frey arrives at the scene of a plane crash near 7th Street and Clark Avenue in Gary, today.
Jon L. Hendricks / The Times of Northwest Indiana
Jones said officials with the Lake County Coroner's Office removed the bodies from the scene around 5:30 p.m. He said the names of the victims would not be released until after they could be identified and their families notified.
Smyrna/Rutherford County Airport Director John Black said he didn't know who owned the plane or who might have been on board. He said the plane arrived at the airport Tuesday night and departed Wednesday morning.
The plane is registered to Gandy AIR LLC in St. Augustine, Fla., according to the FAA. A phone call to the business rang unanswered.
"Today was a sad day in our city. Our hearts go out to the families of these plane crash victims," Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson said in a statement released by police.
GARY | Two men died Wednesday following the crash of a small plane near a local school, officials said.
Personnel from the Gary police and fire departments, the Lake County coroner's office and Lake County Sheriff's Department were on the scene of the crash, which was reported to authorities about 11:20 a.m. The crash happened in a wooded area east of 7th Avenue and Clark Road, near the West Gary Lighthouse Charter School and Preparatory Academy and the city-owned Brunswick Center.
Two men were on board the Cirrus SR22, Gary Police Cmdr. Sean Jones said.
The Lake County Coroner's office cleared the scene just after 5:30 with the two men's bodies and were working to identify them. Their names were not officially available late Wednesday.
Gary Fire Chief Teresa Everett said the four-seat aircraft was en route to Gary after leaving Smyrna, Tenn., at 9:25 a.m. Wednesday. Gary fire personnel worked to extinguish flames after the crash and worked to contain the scene. The Gary/Chicago International Airport is located about two miles northwest of where the crash happened.
Gary Fire Capt. Don Parker said he encountered smoke and heavy flames after arriving on the crash site and that the wreckage was strewn around a 40-foot area. He said firefighters also had to battle a brush fire that started in the wooded area after the wreckage fire was put out.
Isaiah Woods and Devante Black, of Gary, live in the area and said the sound of the crash brought them near the crash because of how loud it was. While standing a few hundred yards away from the site, Woods said he could see heavy smoke coming out of the woods and several firefighters on the scene working to put out the fire.
"We heard it," Woods said. "At first we thought it was a (small) accident ... But you could see the smoke."
John Black with the Smyrna/Rutherford County Airport Authority told The Daily News Journal of Murfreesboro, Tenn., the plane arrived in Smyrna Tuesday night and left Wednesday morning. It did not originate in Smyrna.
The plane was due to arrive at the Gary Jet Center at 11:19 a.m., and no distress call was reported, Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson said.
The downed plane is registered to Gandy Air LLC of St. Augustine, Fla., according to the FAA.
The FAA arrived on the scene of the crash Wednesday afternoon. Gary Police Chief Wade Ingram said the National Transportation Safety Board also is expected to investigate the matter Thursday.
Investigators wrapped up for the night as darkness fell. Gary Police stayed on scene overnight to preserve the crash site for investigators who are expected to resume work Thursday morning.
GARY — At least two people were killed Wednesday morning when their single-engine plane crashed into a wooded area east of West Gary Lighthouse Charter School.
The plane crashed around 11:20 a.m., breaking into pieces and bursting into flames.Gary Fire Department Capt. Don Parker said heavy smoke and flames were coming from the wreckage when Engine No. 8 arrived. Parker said two bodies were thrown from the wreckage, and the Lake County Coroner’s Office was searching for body parts because some of the bodies were separated in the crash.
Plane debris covered a 40-square-foot area on the eastern edge of Brunswick Park.
Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson said a four-passenger plane from Smyrna, Tenn., was scheduled to arrive at 11:19 a.m. at the Gary Jet Center at the Gary/Chicago International Airport. Freeman-Wilson said the plane left Smyrna around 9:39 a.m. The passengers were from Tennessee, but Freeman-Wilson declined to release their names.
John Black with the Smyrna/Rutherford County Airport Authority told The Daily News Journal in Murfreesboro, Tenn., that the plane arrived in Smyrna Tuesday night and left Wednesday morning. It did not originate in Smyrna.
A small plane flying from Tennessee to Gary/Chicago Regional Airport crashed in the woods near a Gary charter school, killing two people aboard Wednesday morning.
It’s unclear if more than two were aboard the 4-seat Cirrus SR22, which went down around 11:20 a.m., scattering debris and bursting into flames about two miles south of the airport.
The pilot, killed in the crash, apparently did not radio in a distress signal, officials said.
Delores Hinton, who lives about a block from the crash site, said she was outside working on her car when she heard an explosion and then saw the plane go down.
“It exploded in the air right up over my house. I said, ‘What was that?’ The next thing I know, it was down,” she said.
About two blocks away, Luther Jackson said he was in his home when he felt what he described as “thud that was strong enough where it kind of rattled the windows a little bit.”
“Then when I went to the door and opened the door I saw a plume of smoke and then I heard sirens,” he said.
Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson said the plane was coming from Smyrna, Tenn. The people killed were from Tennessee, but Freeman-Wilson declined to release their names.
John Black with the Smyrna/Rutherford County Airport Authority told The Daily News Journal in Murfreesboro, Tenn., that the plane arrived in Smyrna Tuesday night and left Wednesday morning. It did not originate in Smyrna. The plane was registered to Gandy Air of St. Augustine, Fla.
Anthony McClinton, a Gary Fire Department division chief at the airport, said neither radar or the airport received a distress signal.
Concerned parents of students at the charter school lined the sidewalks near the intersection of Clark Street and 7th Avenue. Several people said they received a call from the school letting them know students were safe and they would be released at the normal time of 1:45 p.m.
http://posttrib.suntimes.com
GARY, Ind. — At least two people were killed Wednesday morning when their single-engine plane crashed into a wooded area east of West Side Lighthouse Academy in Gary.
The Post-Tribune newspaper, which covers Gary, said the plane crashed around 11:20 a.m., breaking into multiple pieces and bursting into flames. Gary Fire Department Capt. Don Parker said there was heavy smoke and flames when Engine 8 arrived on the scene.
The bodies were thrown from the wreckage and the Lake County Coroner's office was searching for body parts since some of the bodies were separated in the crash.
Plane debris covered a 40-square foot area on the eastern edge of Brunswick Park.
Federal Aviation Authority spokeswoman Elizabeth Isham Cory said in a recorded statement that "the local coroner will identify the deceased."
The Times of Munster reports the Lake County Coroner's office confirmed it was called to the scene but had no information to release immediately.
John Black with the Smyrna/Rutherford County Airport Authority told The Daily News Journal that the plane arrived in Smyrna last night and left this morning. It did not originate in Smyrna.
Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson said a four-passenger plane from Smyrna was scheduled to arrive arrive at 11:19 a.m. at the Gary Jet Center. The Post-Tribune said the passengers were from Tennessee, but the Gary mayor did not want to release the names. The crash site is less than two miles southeast of the airport and south of the Commons shopping center.
Black said the plane was a Cirrus single engine plane, which is typically a four-seater.
Anthony McClinton a Gary Fire Department Division Chief at the airport, said neither radar nor the airport ever received a distress signal.
Residents said they heard a booming sound about 11:20 a.m., but they assumed it was a car crash or coming from the nearby train tracks.
The plane was said to be a Cirrus SR22, A four-passenger make. The company's website describes the SR22 as "luxury at its best." It's said to have a base weight of 2293 pounds, a useful load of 1107 pounds and cabin payload with a three-hour fuel and 45 minute reserve at 731 pounds.
The plane was registered to Gandy Air of Saint Augustine, Fla.
The crash site is less than 2 miles southeast of the airport and sout of the Commons shopping center
Lake City Coroner's office spokeswoman Messica Metros said her office had received a report about the plane crash, but she could not confirm a fatality.
At least one person was killed when a small plane crashed about a mile east of Gary Chicago Airport this morning, coming to rest hundreds of feet from a school. The accident occurred shortly after 11 a.m. near 7th Avenue and Clark Road in Gary, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. The single-engine Cirrus plane had taken off from Smyrna, Tenn. earlier today.
No details were available on the person who died, but the plane's tail number indicates it was owned by a company in Saint Augustine, Fla.
The plane went down about in a wooded area about 400 feet from the Lighthouse Charter School in Gary, according to Gary Fire Capt. Donald Parker.
The plane was burning when fire crews arrived, he said. Firefighters approached the wreckage but were unable to get close enough to rescue anyone, Parker said.
At least one body was seen lying on the ground near the plane, he said. A second person may also have died, but this could not be confirmed.
Lake County Coroner Merrilee Fry went to the scene but was not immediately able to inspect the wreckage because of concerns about hazardous materials, according to an office spokeswoman.
http://flightaware.com/live/flight/N308PJ
http://registry.faa.gov/N308PJ
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