A medical transport plane carrying a patient, a paramedic, a nurse and the pilot crashed while landing Wednesday at the Northern Maine Regional Airport in Presque Isle.
The aircraft, owned and operated by Fresh Air LLC, is leased by the Aroostook Medical Center to transport patients to higher levels of care at different hospitals.
According to a statement issued by the hospital, the aircraft’s engine caught fire on takeoff, and when the pilot tried to return and land the plane, it crashed short of the runway.
All four people on board were injured and were being evaluated at the hospital, according to the release from medical center President Greg LaFrancois.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all those involved,” LaFrancois said. “I want to thank the first responders who were so quick to action to get these individuals to safety.”
Crews from Crown Ambulance and the Presque Isle Fire Department responded to the crash scene. The crash is under investigation by federal aviation authorities.
A medical center spokeswoman said the hospital’s privacy protocol prevented it from releasing the names and conditions of those involved in the crash.
Presque Isle’s deputy fire chief told local television station WAGM that the plane involved was a twin-engine Cessna and that those on board did not appear to be seriously injured.
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