NTSB Investigating Fatal Plane Crash In Bedford
BEDFORD (CBS) --- The National Transportation Safety Board has taken over the investigation into a plane crash that killed 7 people, Saturday night.
The crash happened around 9:30 Saturday night. In total, two crew members, one cabin crew member and four passengers were killed in the crash, according to Luke Schiada, Senior Air Safety Investigator.
Related: Media Mogul Among The Dead In Plane Crash At Hanscom Field
The private jet, a Gulfstream IV, went off runway 11 in a wooded area, the FAA said.
Investigators work at the site of the Hanscom Field crash in Bedford. (Photo courtesy of Cat Cronin)
According to Schiada, the aircraft never left the ground before going off the runway.
Investigators say the plane veered off the runway, hit an instrument landing antenna and a chain link fence, before heading down into a gully and landing partially submerged in water.
Because of concerns jet fuel could leak into the local water supply, a nearby wellfield was shut down. Environmental crews responded to the crash scene with cleaning supplies as a precaution to prevent contamination of the Shawsheen River. Officials say the water is safe.
The aircraft was equipped with a flight data recorder and flight voice recorder. Investigators were looking to find those devices, Sunday afternoon.
A state police dive team is helping in the search for items from the plane that may have ended up in the water-filled gully. Schiada and others spent Sunday looking at tire marks and control positions in the charred wreckage.
The plane was headed to Atlantic City International Airport in New Jersey.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are continuing to investigate. The NTSB will determine the probable cause of the accident.
According to Schiada, the "significant post-crash fire" is making the initial examination difficult. The NTSB said an initial report will be available on their website in 10 days.
One of the runways at Hanscom had reopened as of Sunday night.
Watch: Sunday morning news conference on crash
MORE LOCAL NEWS FROM CBS BOSTON
