WATERTOWN, Wis. — Two people died in a small plane crash in Watertown on Wednesday, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
According to a news release from the Watertown Police Department, the plane crashed into Brandt Quirk Park at 800 Carriage Hill Drive. The FAA's website states there were two people killed in the incident.
When first responders arrived, police said, they were able to put out small fires around the crash site. The plane had taken off from Watertown Municipal Airport.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are leading the investigation into the crash.
"So I was just mowing my lawn, and then I felt like this huge boom," said Brady Lessner, who lives near the park. "I thought it was like a car crash or something so I went around the lawn here, and then I just saw this huge, huge black smoke in the air."
The NTSB said the plane that crashed is "Mooney M20R."
Flight records reviewed by TMJ4 News show a "Mooney M20R" take off from Watertown on Wednesday morning. The plane was headed to a small airport in Northern Wisconsin, according to records.
Officials at Watertown Municipal Airport would not say who was on the plane, only that one of the passengers was a well-known regular, flying in and out of their small airport.
TMJ4 News tried to contact the plane's owner several times but wasn't able to reach anyone. Records name the owner of the plane, but it's uncertain who was flying. Police have not yet confirmed that and said they were working to notify family.
Lessner, who heard the crash, said he ran toward the downed plane but quickly knew he wouldn't be able to help.
"I was really surprised, and sad for the family of the pilot. I don't know what happened yet. But just got to keep praying," said Lessner.
Read the police department's announcement below:
On Wednesday, June 14, 2023, at 9:05 am, Watertown police and fire personnel responded to Brandt Quirk Park located at 800 Carriage Hill Drive in the City of Watertown for a report of an airplane crash.
Upon arrival emergency personnel confirmed a fatal crash involving a small airplane. Further identification will be released later pending notification of family. The airplane had taken off from Watertown Municipal Airport. There were small fires around the crash site which were quickly extinguished by fire personnel.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are on scene and will be leading the investigation with the Watertown Police Department assisting.
Others that assisted with the initial response are the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office, Dodge County Office of Emergency Management and Dodge County Medical Examiner.
Members of the media can stage at the intersection of Carriage Hill Drive/Endeavour Drive. Phone calls can be directed to Media and Communications Director, Lisa Famularo 920-342-0537.
Further information will be released as it becomes available on the City of Watertown and Watertown Police Department Facebook pages.
This is a developing story. TMJ4 News will update this article as we learn more.
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