Coast Guard Rescues Two After Small Plane Crashes Near Connecticut Airport Following Emergency Declaration
U.S. Coast Guard rescues two after plane crashes into Long Island Sound near Tweed New Haven Airport.
The U.S. Coast Guard conducted a daring rescue operation Sunday after a small plane crashed into the waters off an island near Branford, Connecticut. The incident occurred just before 10:30 a.m. when a Piper PA-32 aircraft carrying two people went down in Long Island Sound, south of Tweed New Haven Airport.
According to federal aviation authorities and officials at Tweed New Haven Airport, the aircraft declared an emergency while it was in communication with New York Air Traffic Control. The plane, which had departed from Sikorsky Memorial Airport in Bridgeport, was en route to an unspecified destination when trouble began approximately eight miles from Tweed New Haven Airport. Air traffic controllers quickly redirected the pilot for an emergency landing at Tweed, but the plane was unable to make it to land and went down in the water a short time later.
Airport officials emphasized that the control tower and ground personnel wasted no time in activating emergency response protocols and notifying the proper authorities. First responders from multiple agencies quickly converged at the scene following reports of the crash.
The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that its crews successfully rescued both people from the downed aircraft. Both individuals were reported to be in stable condition at the time of their recovery and were transported to the Stony Creek Pier, where EMS teams provided immediate medical support. They were then taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries for further evaluation.
In a statement posted to social media, Tweed New Haven Airport expressed relief about the outcome, writing, “We are deeply relieved that both individuals were safely recovered and extend our sincere gratitude to all federal, state, and local responders for their swift and coordinated response.”
FAA records indicate that the downed Piper PA-32 was registered to an owner in Newtown, Connecticut, though the names of the owner and those on board have not yet been made public.
The Federal Aviation Administration is actively investigating the cause of the crash. More information will be released as the investigation continues and details become available.
