A man died when his small plane crashed into a home near the College Park Airport in Prince George's County, Maryland, Sunday afternoon, state police said.
The 1978 Grunman American AA-5A Tiger struck a carport attached to a house and a parked car before catching fire about 3 p.m., said Mark Brady, spokesperson for the Prince George's County Fire Department. Brady said the car and part of the house also caught fire.
Firefighters found 61-year-old Gordon Allen of Bronx, New York, dead inside the plane. No one was at the home at the time of the crash and there appear to be no other injuries, Brady said.
The crash happened near Auburn and Chestnut avenues in New Carrollton, which is about three miles south of where the plane took off at the College Park Airport about 2:45 p.m., authorities said.
The pilot was in communication with air traffic control and the plane was on Federal Aviation Administration radar.
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About three minutes after takeoff at 700 feet, the plane started to descend to the right. It struck several trees and the carport and caused a large fire, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. Witnesses said it was very loud.
Two homes on Chestnut Avenue were struck by debris, according to the NTSB.
At least 18 homes lost power because of the crash, state police said.
The FAA confirmed to WNBC that the plane was headed to Westchester County Airport in White Plains, New York.
There were showers and completely overcast skies in the area at the time of the crash, Storm Team4's Amelia Draper said. NTSB reports there was 2 miles of visibility and light rain. The investigation will look deeper into weather conditions.
Firefighters with the College Park Fire Department and the Prince George's County Fire Department responded. Fire crews checked for fuel runoff.
The pilot had a proper license for the plane and his medical certification was up to date, according to the NTSB. An autopsy and toxicology report is to come.
The FAA and the NTSB are investigating the crash.
All major components of the plane are at the scene and are expected to be moved to a salvage facility Monday, according to the NTSB. The investigation will continue at the salvage facility.
A preliminary report is expected in about 10 days, according to the NTSB. That will not include a probable cause. Investigations like this take about 18 months.
Witnesses should contact the NTSB at witness@NTSB.gov or 202-314-6290.
Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story reported the plane struck two homes, per a statement from the FAA. The fire department says the plane struck one home and a car.
