BEVERLY– Airport Manager Gloria Bouillon reports that a Piper Archer aircraft being flown by a student pilot crashed into trees on a residential property on Thursday. Beverly Regional Airport was notified of the crash shortly after 5 p.m.
Members of Beverly Police and Fire, Danvers Police and Fire, Wenham Fire, Middleton Fire and Massachusetts State Police all responded to the scene on Burley Street in Danvers. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation also responded to the scene, and the Federal Aviation Administration will be investigating as well.
The pilot, an adult male, was evaluated by EMS on the scene and declined transportation to an area hospital. He is a student at the Beverly Flight Center, a flight school which operates out of the airport. No one else was inside the plane at the time of the landing.
The plane sustained significant damage in the crash, and was leaking fuel when first responders arrived. The plane did not catch fire, however.
As a student pilot works to achieve their pilot’s license, it is a standard practice for the student to perform solo flights as they become more proficient in order to hone their flight skills.
“We’re very thankful for the quick and efficient response of our local police and fire departments today,” Bouillon said. “They did an incredible job assisting the student pilot. We’d also like to thank our pilots and businesses at the airport for their patience and cooperation through this incident.”
The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the FAA.
Beverly Regional Airport temporarily closed Runway 09 following the crash until approximately 6 p.m. on Thursday.
A student pilot flying a Piper Archer aircraft crashed into trees on a residential property on Thursday. (Courtesy Photo Beverly Regional Airport)
