Two dead, 10 injured after light plane crashes through hangar roof in South Australia
Updated . First published
Two people have died and 10 others injured, including one who is fighting for their life, after a light plane crashed through the roof of an aircraft hangar at Parafield Airport, just north of Adelaide.
Thick black smoke drifted over the tarmac after the DA42 twin-engine aircraft crashed into the flight school hangar shortly after take-off and burst into flames just before 2pm today.
A pilot and their passenger died in the crash, South Australia Police Chief Inspector Andrew McCracken said.
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Thick black smoke drifted over the tarmac. Nine
A number of airport staff who were inside Hangar 54 at the time were among those injured, with two doctors rushing to the scene to provide first aid.
"There were first degree burns, blisters around the ears, a blistered face, his hand all burnt, so it was quite tragic," Dr Dan Tran told 9News.
One person was taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital in a life-threatening condition with significant burns to their body.
Two others were taken to the same hospital in a serious condition and another with minor physical injuries.
Four people were taken to Lyell McEwin Hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation and a further two were taken to Modbury Hospital.
The light plane crashed at Parafield Airport this afternoon. 9News
The fire has significantly damaged the hangar and several planes inside. 9News
The crash impacted the fire hydrant system, rendering sprinklers out of action and also causing a lack of water for firefighters.
Almost 60 Metropolitan Fire Service (MFS) firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control in 20 minutes.
The fire significantly damaged the hangar and several planes inside.
Due to the extent of the smoke, the MFS also issued a smoke advice for the Parafield and Mawson Lakes areas, about 18 kilometres north of the Adelaide CBD.
The Air Traffic Safety Board will visit the airport tomorrow morning to assist with the investigation.
"A pathologist is on scene, along with major crash staff," McCracken said.
"It is subject to a full investigation and a cordon will remain in place overnight for at least 24 hours as the matter is investigated."
It's the second light plane crash in Parafield in a matter of months, with a learner pilot crashing on take-off in January.
In that incident, the pilot and sole occupant walked away from the crash uninjured.
A number of airport staff who were inside Hangar 54 at the time were also injured, with two doctors rushing to the scene to provide first aid. 9News
The plane caught fire on impact and flames spread to nearby grass.
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