NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — One person is dead and two others are critically hurt, after a small plane crashed at Newport News-Williamsburg International Airport Thursday afternoon.
According to Virginia State Police, a Cessna 172 crashed shortly before 3 p.m. While it is early in the investigation, findings showed the aircraft reached approximately 100 feet in the air, veered off and then crashed into a ditch.
VSP confirmed that one woman, who was the instructor and co-pilot, died.
She's been identified as Viktoria Theresie Izabelle Ljungman, 23.
According to certification reports from the Federal Aviation Administration, Ljungman had been a certified instructor since March 30, 2022.
The student pilot and one passenger, both 18-year-old men from Maryland, are critically hurt. They were taken to Riverside Regional Medical Center for treatment.
The student pilot was then transferred to VCU Hospital in Richmond.
A spokesperson with Hampton University said two of the victims were students of the university. 13News Now received the following statement from the Office of University Relations:
"Hampton University is aware of the unfortunate accident that occurred today involving two of our students. The exact cause of the accident is under investigation. Out of respect for the students and their families we have no further comment at this time."
VSP is the lead agency investigating the crash. Federal partners with the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are assisting.
The crash on Thursday afternoon had some impact on airport operations.
“The airport was officially closed from the time of the incident until 5:10 p.m. local time," said Michael Giardino, executive director of the airport.
Giardino mentioned one flight at the Newport News-Williamsburg International Airport did see a minor delay Thursday. However, the airport is open.