DETROIT – Coleman A. Young International Airport and Detroit Police Department confirmed a small plane crashed in Detroit Sunday night near the intersection of Milton and Eldon avenues, west of Van Dyke Avenue.
Authorities from the Detroit police and fire departments were dispatched to the scene.
Detroit police confirmed three people were in the small single engine aircraft at the time of the crash. It was flying from Texas.
The FAA confirmed the pilot was in contact with the tower and had indicated landing gear issues and low fuel prior to the crash.
The plane circled the runway and attempted to land in the grass, police said.
Police confirmed a 54-year-old man and 48-year-old woman died in the crash.
A 17-year-old boy was able to escape the plane. He is in critical condition and Detroit Receiving Hospital.
VIDEO: Man describes 'courageous' rescue of person from burning plane in Detroit
A man said he heard the crash and discovered the plane in flames in an empty lot. He said he was able to help remove someone from the burning aircraft.
BREAKING witness says plane crashed into a vacant lot near City Airport. He heard people screaming for help. Used an ax to free one man. Says two others were trapped & the windows were too small to pull them through. DPD/DFD on scene. Waiting for official update. pic.twitter.com/7En2mXLxOr
— Priya Mann (@priyamanntv) June 25, 2018
No one on the ground was injured in the crash.
Priya Mann spoke to the witness at the scene who says he rescued a person from the plane using an ax: