Flight Originated In Venice, FL

A Cessna Citation I (similar aircraft pictued) is reported to have gone down at the Macon County Airport (1A5) in Western NC Thursday afternoon. All five people on board were fatally injured.

FAA records indicate that the airplane departed Venice Municipal Airport (KVNC) at about 1100 EDT Thursday. The accident occurred about 1345.

Witnesses said the pilot of the plane aborted the first approach, which appeared to be too steep. On the second approach, the nose gear touched the runway first, and then the left wing touched the ground and the airplane flipped over and impacted the ground. A post-crash fire ensued.

The names of those fatally injured have not been released pending notification of relatives. According to FAA records, the plane was registered to Bogan Jakubowski of Venice, FL, who the Associated Press describes as a "businessman." It has not been revealed if Jakubowski was flying the airplane when it went down.

AirNav.com lists 1A5 as an uncontrolled airport with a 4,400 foot runway which "has severe cracks and vegetation through the cracks and joints."

FMI: www.ntsb.gov