MIDDLEFIELD, Ohio — Three people are dead after a local plane crashed in Middlefield, Geauga County, on Saturday afternoon, according to Middlefield Fire Assistant Chief Ben Reed.
The Piper Comanche 250 plane flew out of Geauga to Youngstown, seemingly for a day trip, Reed said.
As the plane was about to land on its return, it crashed into a field about one mile from the Geauga County Airport, according to the Chardon Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
When the fire department arrived, they found all three occupants of the plane dead. OSHP said the single-engine plane sustained major damage.
OSHP identified the victims as 76-year-old Thomas Cunningham of Rome, Ohio, 71-year-old John Taipale of Geneva and 40-year-old Alexander Taipale of Geneva.
The Chardon Post of OSHP is investigating the crash.
The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration have been notified.
News 5 crews captured photos and saw lots of medical personnel at the scene.
We will update this story as we get more information.
