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| F.B.I. Takes Over Investigation Into Fatal Plane Crash in Connecticut | F.B.I. Takes Over Investigation Into Fatal Plane Crash in Connecticut |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The Federal Bureau of Investigation has taken over the investigation into the crash of a small plane in Connecticut on Tuesday afternoon, looking into the possibility that the aircraft was deliberately downed by one of the two people on board, according to the authorities. | The Federal Bureau of Investigation has taken over the investigation into the crash of a small plane in Connecticut on Tuesday afternoon, looking into the possibility that the aircraft was deliberately downed by one of the two people on board, according to the authorities. |
| In a statement on Wednesday afternoon, the National Transportation Safety Board said its initial investigation determined that the crash in East Hartford was the result of an intentional act. | |
| Lt. John Litwin of the East Hartford Police told reporters earlier on Wednesday that he would not comment on specific details of the investigation, but confirmed that the F.B.I. was leading the inquiry. | |
| “Although you can see the investigation is extremely active, it is still in its infancy,” Lieutenant Litwin said. “Nothing has been ruled out, including an accident.” | “Although you can see the investigation is extremely active, it is still in its infancy,” Lieutenant Litwin said. “Nothing has been ruled out, including an accident.” |
| He said two people were on board the Piper PA-34 Seneca twin-engine plane at the time of the crash, although it is unclear who was at the controls. | He said two people were on board the Piper PA-34 Seneca twin-engine plane at the time of the crash, although it is unclear who was at the controls. |
| The plane is equipped with two set of controls, so at any given point, either person could have been piloting the aircraft, Lieutenant Litwin said. | The plane is equipped with two set of controls, so at any given point, either person could have been piloting the aircraft, Lieutenant Litwin said. |
| One person aboard was killed in the crash; he was identified as Feras M. Freitekh, 28, a Jordanian national. The other person escaped from the burning wreckage and is now at a hospital in Bridgeport being treated for his wounds, which were described as serious but not life-threatening. | One person aboard was killed in the crash; he was identified as Feras M. Freitekh, 28, a Jordanian national. The other person escaped from the burning wreckage and is now at a hospital in Bridgeport being treated for his wounds, which were described as serious but not life-threatening. |
| Lieutenant Litwin said that the survivor had been able to speak to investigators but would not comment on what he might have told them. | Lieutenant Litwin said that the survivor had been able to speak to investigators but would not comment on what he might have told them. |
| Four law enforcement officials familiar with the investigation told The New York Times on Tuesday that the survivor had said that the crash was not an accident. | Four law enforcement officials familiar with the investigation told The New York Times on Tuesday that the survivor had said that the crash was not an accident. |
| The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because the investigation was continuing. | The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity because the investigation was continuing. |
| Public records show Mr. Freitekh had lived in Orland Hills, Ill., about 35 miles southwest of Chicago. Federal Aviation Administration records show he was issued a private pilot certificate on May 29, 2015, and was certified to fly a single-engine plane. | Public records show Mr. Freitekh had lived in Orland Hills, Ill., about 35 miles southwest of Chicago. Federal Aviation Administration records show he was issued a private pilot certificate on May 29, 2015, and was certified to fly a single-engine plane. |
| Adding to the possible urgency of the investigation is the location of the crash, near a campus for the jet engine maker Pratt & Whitney. | |
| The company employs about 34,000 people around the world and makes engines for more than 25 percent of the world’s mainline passenger fleet. | |
| “It does not appear at this time that any Pratt & Whitney employees or contractors were involved,” the company said in a statement issued late Tuesday. “Additionally, there is no impact to our operation here in East Hartford other than restricted traffic flow to the facility’s main entrance on Main Street. We stand ready to assist local officials as needed.” | “It does not appear at this time that any Pratt & Whitney employees or contractors were involved,” the company said in a statement issued late Tuesday. “Additionally, there is no impact to our operation here in East Hartford other than restricted traffic flow to the facility’s main entrance on Main Street. We stand ready to assist local officials as needed.” |
| On Wednesday morning, the burned wreckage from the plane remained at the crash site as local, state and federal investigators sifted through the debris. | On Wednesday morning, the burned wreckage from the plane remained at the crash site as local, state and federal investigators sifted through the debris. |
| Lieutenant Litwin said that given the time and location of the crash, there were many witnesses who saw the plane as it tore through telephone wires and then exploded upon impact, sending up plumes of smoke. | Lieutenant Litwin said that given the time and location of the crash, there were many witnesses who saw the plane as it tore through telephone wires and then exploded upon impact, sending up plumes of smoke. |
| The plane narrowly missed striking a minivan on the road, and Lieutenant Litwin said, “The fact that there were not more casualties is pretty amazing.” | The plane narrowly missed striking a minivan on the road, and Lieutenant Litwin said, “The fact that there were not more casualties is pretty amazing.” |