2 dead as planes collide in central Florida

Two aircraft collide and burst into flames on the ground at a central Florida airport, hurting two others.

Two aircraft collided and burst into flames on the ground on Saturday at a central Florida airport, killing two people, the Federal Aviation Administration said. Two other people were critically injured.

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One airplane was apparently flying low or had just landed when it crashed into the other plane around 8:30 am, said Scott Gaenicke, public information officer for Titusville Fire and Emergency Medical Services.

FAA spokesman Warren Woodberry said the plane on the ground appeared to have been taxiing to a ramp area. Two people who were in that plane were killed, Gaenicke said.

The other plane cartwheeled for about 90 metres before landing belly-up on a grass median at the airport, Gaenicke said. Bystanders aided two people who were in that plane, which also caught fire, he said. "It's kind of shocking," he said. "It's certainly devastating to see."

Gaenicke said one of the survivors was in "grave" condition and the other was in extremely critical condition.
Woodberry said one of the aircraft was classified as an experimental aircraft.