UPDATED Small fatal plane crash on Kilgore Rd in Kalamazoo

KALAMAZOO--WKZO.com reports that one person has died in a small plane that crashed at the Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International Airport this morning around 8:45. Witnesses say the plane appeared to have trouble while attempting a takeoff.
Witness Denny Olson says the plane veered off the runway, missed several buildings, crashing through a fence and then hitting an embankment on Kilgore Road before bursting into flames. Police have sealed off a perimeter around the airport at this hour - avoid the area for now.

The Western Michigan University College of Aviation is responding...saying the plane doesn't belong to the school.
Spokesman Tom Meyers says WMU still owns a building at the airport, but rents it to another concern.

Airport officials aren't yet commenting on the situation, except to say the airport is open and flights are unaffected at this time by the incident or the emergency response.

Listen to 590 KZO or log on to WKZONEWS.com as the story unfolds.




UPDATE: New information revealing that the small aircraft had been recently serviced over the last few days and eye witness accounts detail engine fauilure shortly after take-off. Witnesses say the plane veered to the right on take-off and was buring when the plane narrowly missed a building where 15 people were working.

ID of the pilot is not confirmed and is not expected to be released until an autopsy is conducted.

WKZONEWS.COM spoke with KDPS Officer Chris Reiser and KDPS Captain Brian Uridge. Those interviews can be found on WKZONEWS.com

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[donwert]

"kalamazoo Direct To You"!!! Gosh, I haven't heard that since I was a kid in the 50s! Station ID used to be "Kalamazoo direct you, WKZO-TV, serving Grand Rapids and Battle Creek".