Two people have died after a small plane crashed into a house in Akron, Ohio, on Thursday, May 14, 2026. The incident occurred around 3:45 p.m. when a 1963 Piper Cherokee single-engine aircraft, also known as a Piper PA-28, went down shortly after departing from Akron Fulton Airport.
Fire and Smoke After Impact
The crash sparked a massive fire and heavy smoke, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Akron Fire District Chief Sierjie Lash told local media that residents reported seeing the plane go down and hearing explosions.
"We got a call that residents saw a plane going down into the house," Lash said. "We got more calls that people heard explosions, and we arrived to heavy smoke coming out of the house, and we addressed it, approached it as a house fire."
Family Escapes Without Injury
A couple and their two children were inside the home at the time of the crash but managed to escape unharmed. Lash described the outcome as "very fortunate," adding: "They were all four home, and they were able to get out with no injuries, so we're very fortunate that they are safe." No bystanders on the ground were injured, and neighboring houses were evacuated as a precaution.
Investigation Underway
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate the cause of the crash. Authorities also plan to assess the structural integrity of the damaged home, which was heavily affected by the blaze. The fire has since been extinguished, but residents were advised to avoid the area due to the large emergency response.
Scene Description
Witnesses captured dramatic images showing thick black smoke rising from the suburban street, with debris from the aircraft scattered around the property. The tail of the plane was visible among the wreckage, highlighting the force of the impact.
Related Incident: 11 Found Alive After Plane Crashes
In a separate incident, eleven people survived after a private plane crashed into the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Florida. The twin-engine aircraft had taken off from the Bahamas on Tuesday, May 12, before going down about 80 miles from Melbourne, Florida, according to the US Coast Guard. An emergency signal alerted rescue teams, who launched a search operation. A US Air Force rescue plane on a training mission joined the effort. Rescuers found all 11 adults alive inside a life raft as a thunderstorm approached. Air Force Major Elizabeth Piowaty said the team dropped food, water, and flotation supplies to help survivors until a helicopter arrived.
