By Tiffany Williams & DeJaune Jones –
LUDLOW, Mass. — A major emergency response is underway Saturday night after an aircraft went down in a wooded area behind 1668 Center Street in Ludlow, Massachusetts.
The incident was initially reported as a possible aircraft down, prompting a response from Massachusetts State Police to the Center Street area. Responders have since confirmed that an aircraft is down in the woods behind the property.
Massachusetts State Police are on scene along with Ludlow Police, which is assisting in the response, and Ludlow Fire and EMS.
Emergency personnel are working their way into the wood line and through the wooded area in an effort to reach the downed aircraft and crash site.
Drones are also being utilized in the area as part of the emergency response while crews work to locate and access the aircraft from the ground.
The condition of anyone who may have been aboard the aircraft is not known at this time. There is also no confirmed information regarding how many people were aboard, the type of aircraft involved, where the aircraft originated or where it may have been headed.
The location of the incident places the crash within a region served by several civilian and military aviation facilities, although there is currently no information connecting the aircraft to any particular airport or military installation.
Ludlow does not have an active commercial or public municipal airport within the town itself.
Westover Metropolitan Airport in Chicopee is approximately six miles west of Ludlow and shares its airfield with Westover Air Reserve Base. The airport handles general aviation and corporate aircraft operations, while the adjoining installation supports military aviation operations.
Westover Air Reserve Base is roughly 10 miles from Ludlow.
Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport in Westfield is approximately 18 miles west of Ludlow. The airport accommodates general aviation, flight training and corporate aircraft.
Northampton Airport, approximately 20 miles northwest of Ludlow, is a smaller municipal airport and flight-training facility located along the Connecticut River.
Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Connecticut, is approximately 30 miles from Ludlow, or about a 35-to-45-minute drive.
There is no confirmed information at this time indicating that the aircraft departed from, was traveling to or was otherwise associated with Bradley International Airport, Westover Metropolitan Airport, Westover Air Reserve Base, Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport or Northampton Airport.
The circumstances leading up to the aircraft going down remain unknown.
Members of the public are being urged to stay away from the area around 1668 Center Street and allow police, firefighters, EMS personnel and other emergency responders room to conduct their operations.
People should not attempt to enter the wooded area, approach the crash site or interfere with emergency personnel working in the area.
This remains an active and developing emergency scene. Additional information will be provided as it becomes available.