Pilot, Passenger, One In The Apartment Sustain Non-Life-Threatening Injuries

An airplane reported to be a Cessna impacted an apartment building near Herndon, VA, at about 0030 EDT Friday morning after experiencing electrical problems. The pilot, a passenger, and six people in the third-floor apartment all escaped serious injury, according to Virginia State Police.

Images posted on The Washington Post website show the tail of the airplane protruding from the top floor apartment. Four adults and two children were reportedly sleeping in the apartment at the time of the accident. The pilot, his passenger, and one of the people in the structure ... a 33-year-old woman, suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

The pilot, identified as 61-year-old William Larson of Vienna, VA, said that they had been taking infrared photographs of the area when the Cessna experienced electrical problems and the engine began to "cut out." He also said the plane was low on fuel. His passenger was Tache Alejandro of Orlando, FL. Both reportedly work for an aerial photography company. The two had departed from Philadelphia en route to Manassas, VA.

Larson and the injured woman were transported to a nearby hospital. Alajandro was reportedly treated at the scene, according to the Washington Post.

The nose of the plane came to rest on the apartment's living room floor. Authorities said damage to the building was limited to the apartment that was struck.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov