Passengers die, residents survive plane crash into home

Investigators were picking through debris Monday after a small plane crashed through a southeastern Massachusetts home, killing all three people aboard but sparing four residents of the house.

The home ignited in flames after the plane tore through before slamming into a nearby hillside, authorities in Plainville said. State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan said it was a "miracle" that no one in the home was killed given the extensive damage from Sunday's tragedy.

Eric Takach, who lives a few houses up the street, told the Boston Herald he heard the engine backfire and begin to sputter and went outside, where he encountered his neighbors.

"The plane hit the back of the house and then exploded. I ran down and they were standing in the front yard," Takach said. "Thank God, all four got out OK. We're just getting over the shock and awe of what happened."

The Beechcraft BE36 aircraft had taken off from an airport in Lancaster, Pa., and crashed into the house about 5:45 p.m., said Jim Peters of the Federal Aviation Administration. The plane had been bound for Norwood Memorial Airport, about 20 miles from the crash site.

The occupants of the plane were not immediately identified. The National Transportation Safety Board said it was investigating the cause of the crash. Paste BN reached out to Plainville, Fire Chief Justin Alexander, who was not immediately available for comment.