Westwind II Went Off The Runway At Huntsville, AL International Airport

An IAI Westwind II airplane taking off from Huntsville International Airport (KHSV) in Huntsville, AL was involved in a runway excursion Wednesday, resulting in the fatal injury of the three people on board.

The airplane was departing Huntsville about 2:20 pm local time, according to Karen Yarbrough, acting public relations manager for Huntsville International Airport. AL.com reports that the Madison County Coroner has identified those on board as Alabama residents William Christopher II, 57, of Centerpoint; and Kenneth Lynn Rousseau, 67, from Harpersville. Also on board was Robin Gary Smith, 60, of Yukon, OK. The plane was registered to Synfuels Holdings Finance LLC of Birmingham, AL.

Madison County Coroner Craig Whisenant said that two of the three people on board had been ejected from the aircraft by the impact. There was a post-impact fire.

The accident caused the airport to be closed for about three hours, forcing delays and some cancellations of commercial flights.

It was not immediately known which of the people on board was the pilot of the aircraft.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov