By: Jordan Meadows, Staff Writer
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are set to launch an investigation into a crash of a small plane in Rocky Mount.
Late Sunday night, around 9:30 p.m., a single-engine Cessna 172 went down. The crash site was reported to be on West Raleigh Boulevard between Nashville Road and Edwards Street, according to the Rocky Mount Police Department.
Fortunately, only the pilot was aboard the aircraft, as confirmed by the FAA. The pilot emerged without major injuries after the plane flipped, hit a power pole, clipped the bus stop at the corner of Paul Street, all the while avoiding power lines.
Eyewitnesses recounted the plane’s trajectory, noting its attempt at an emergency landing on the 1400 block of West Raleigh Boulevard near Nashville Road.
One witness mentioned hearing only the sound of impact, with no engine noise preceding it. There were no reported injuries to bystanders or significant damage to nearby structures.
The FAA initiated its investigation the following morning, prompting the closure of the 1200 block of West Raleigh Boulevard and both the 600 and 700 blocks of Paul Street until the inquiry is concluded.
