At least four dead as planes collide on Florida runway

Charred wreckage from the runway collision of two planes in Sarasota, Florida

March 9, 2000
Web posted at: 1:41 p.m. EST (1841 GMT)

SARASOTA, Florida (CNN) -- Two private planes collided on an airport runway and burst into a ball of fire, killing at least four people, authorities said.

The crash happened about 10:40 a.m. at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport in Florida. Authorities have launched an investigation.

Fire crews responded within about a minute after the accident, said John Teeter, a spokesman for the Sarasota County Fire Department.

"Both (planes) were fully engulfed in fire when crews arrived," he told CNN.

Video from the scene showed smoke billowing into the sky, the planes' charred wreckage in a massive heap on the airport's main runway.

Teeter said it was not immediately clear if one plane was taking off and the other landing at the time of the crash. Authorities are working to sort out those details.

"We're still trying to collect data," Teeter said.

He said at least four people were killed and medical examiners were on the scene to determine if anyone else had died. The victims' names were not immediately released.

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Sarasota Bradenton International Airport
Sarasota County Fire Department

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