Plane Crashes, Catches Fire On Runway In Gwinnett

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA – A Cessna airplane with two passengers crashed and caught fire at Gwinnett County Briscoe Field Sunday, located at 770 Airport Road NE in Lawrenceville. The aircraft is considered a complete loss and is awaiting a clean-up crew for removal. One passenger was evaluated and released at the scene by paramedics and the other passenger denied any injuries.

Several callers including the airport tower reported a single-engine plane crashed on the runway and caught fire. Witnesses reported two occupants safely exiting the plane prior to the fire.

Fire crews arrived on scene in three minutes to find single-engine plane fully involved at the beginning of Runway 7. Runway 7 was the active runway at the time of the incident. Two occupants were outside the aircraft and a safe distance away. A fire attack hose line with foam was quickly deployed to suppress the flames and bring the fire under control. After the fire was completely extinguished, members of the Hazardous Materials Response Team checked the surrounding area for any run-off concerns and found readings to be negative.

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The plane is a Cessna 172 which is described as a four-seat, single-engine, high wing aircraft. An instructor and student were on board the aircraft when the incident occurred. It was reported the plane operates out of Peachtree-Dekalb Airport and was performing touch-and-go maneuvers at Briscoe Field for training. Personnel at the airport tower stated the plane did not make any distress calls and that it experienced a hard landing.

During the incident, the Airport Authority at Briscoe Field closed the runway but other airport operations were not affected. The FAA and NTSB were notified of the incident and released the aircraft to the Airport Authority for removal. An inspector from the FAA is responding to evaluate the wreckage.

Firefighters are reminding citizens that October is Fire Prevention Month in Gwinnett County. Residents are encouraged to keep their home and family safe by following simple fire safety rules:

• Install working smoke alarms on every level of the home and in each of the bedrooms.
• Develop a home fire escape plan and practice fire drills regularly.
• Keep a portable fire extinguisher close at hand to douse a small fire.
• Look for and eliminate home hazards that could cause a fire to start or grow in intensity.

For additional information on home fire safety, please contact the Gwinnett Fire Community Risk Reduction Division at 678-518-4845 or emailfireprograms@gwinnettcounty.com.

EQUIPMENT AT THE SCENE INCLUDED: 3-Engines, 1-Ladder Truck, 1-Squad, 1-Hazmat Unit, 1-Water Tender, 1-Medic Unit, 1-Air & Light Unit, 1-Rehab Unit, 2-Battalion Chiefs, 1-District Commander and 2-PIOs.

Photos courtesy Gwinnett County Fire Department