According to the police,a fixed-wing aircraft had just taken off at 4:47 p.m. when the pilot said he began to experience problems with the plane. The pilot added that as he attempted to return to the airport, the plane, a 1991 Glasair 3, began to lose altitude and crashed into a nearby wooded area.
Police identified the pilot asRobert S. Vachon, 24, of Herndon, and his passenger, Ronald Mangas, 24, of Herndon.Both flown by Virginia State Police Med-Flight helicopter to Inova Fairfax Hospital for treatment of serious injuries.
Virginia State Police say the crash is under investigation and that theFederal Aviation Administration (FAA)is alsoinvestigating the crash. />
