SLIDELL, La. (WGNO) — Slidell police say workers are trying to clear an area where a plane crashed Tuesday night near the city’s airport. The crash happened a little after 9:15, and the two people on board the plane were killed. Police say both victims were pilots.
According to Slidell Police Chief Randy Smith, the plane was attempting to land when it may have developed engine trouble. The plane rolled while still in the air, crashed into a wooded area and burst into flames.
Smith says that the plane was one of two flying Tuesday night that were used for mosquito control for St. Tammany Parish. He says both planes were returning from spraying various areas. Smith says the plane that crashed was a twin engine aircraft. Smith adds that the pilot of the second plane witnessed the crash.
After a path to the plane was cleared, the bodies of the two people killed were removed and taken to the coroner’s office. The coroner’s office identifies the victims as 68-year-old Wayne Fisher of Slidell and 59-year-old Donald Pechon of Covington.
Smith says federal investigators with the FAA and NTSB will investigate the crash.
“This is a very unfortunate accident and our prayers are with the families of the two pilots who perished in the crash,” Smith said in a written statement updating the situation.