Shocking footage shows a twin-engine plane flip over moments after takeoff and crash to the ground in a huge fireball, killing two people on board — with two others miraculously surviving.
The light aircraft flipped in midair before hitting the ground in front of screaming onlookers Wednesday morning in Táchira state, Venezuela, video shared on X shows.
The short clip shows the Cheyenne I model plane hurtling along the runway at Paramillo Airfield in San Cristobal, just over 400 miles southwest of the capital, Caracas.
The moment the wheels leave the ground, the plane veers violently on its side with the pilot apparently unable to regain control.
As the plane turns almost completely upside-down, it suddenly smashes nose-first into the ground.
The wreckage explodes and skids along the runway toward the horrified crowd, who are heard gasping and shrieking.
Two people on board — unofficially identified as Toni Bortone and Juan Maldonado — were killed in the crash just before 10 a.m., while two others were injured, Venezuelan outlet El Nacional reported.
The crash happened after the pilot lost control of the plane due to a tire explosion, according to preliminary reports cited in Venezuelan media.
The fire triggered by the impact was so severe that rescue efforts were significantly hampered.
It is believed the plane was linked to logistics activities for Venezuela’s socialist government.
An investigation is underway to determine the exact cause of the accident, and whether it was down to a mechanical failure, human error, or external factors such as the runway’s condition or the environment, El Nacional reported.
