The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) says engine problems may have contributed to the fatal crash of a private chartered plane in St. Croix that killed all five people on board last Thursday.
The plane crashed soon after taking off from the Rohlsen Airport on Thursday night and the FAA in its preliminary report noted that the aircraft, which was on its way to St. Thomas, returned to the St. Croix airport because of engine problems.
The Beech aircraft with registration number N449A, was destroyed by fire on airport property, according to the FAA preliminary report.
Director of the Virgin Islands Port Authority (VIPA), David Mapp, told reporters that no one had survived the wreck of the private plane.
Media reports said that among the casualties was a member of the Stylee Band, one of the territory’s premier groups, which is a highlight of the festival season.
Police Commissioner Delroy Richards told the media that the aircraft, a private chartered plane, took off from the St. Croix airport and soon after started experiencing engine problems, with flames coming from one of its two engines.
The names of the deceased have not yet been released.
