A Cessna Citation CJ1 business jet crashed during departure from Bedford County Airport in Pennsylvania on Wednesday, crossed the airport perimeter and entered a field before catching fire. The pilot and copilot escaped with non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to hospital. Registered N600AL and operated by Bedford-based Shobers Equipment LLC, the 2000 aircraft had been scheduled to fly to Martin State Airport near Baltimore.
The crash occurred at about 10:45 a.m. local time. Firefighters found the jet fully engulfed, with extensive damage to the aircraft and airport fence. Local officials indicated that the aircraft may have lost a wheel after striking the fence before skidding across Belden Road, although the sequence remains subject to investigation.
Flight records showed a subsequent planned sector to Greenbrier Valley Airport in West Virginia before a return to Bedford. One occupant was later released from hospital, while both pilots were expected to recover.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating. The FAA has not established a cause or released a preliminary report; weather, mechanical factors and pilot actions have not been determined.