Deadly Rhode Island Collision in the Air - KWST

Apparently a Cessna was departing while a Piper PA-28
(possibly an Arrow) was landing at Westerly State (KWST).
Airplanes collided with each other about 100 feet AGL. Both
aircraft impacted the runway. All 3 Piper occupants
survived with few/little injuries and were released from a
hospital. Both aboard the Cessna died in the hospital.
Airport remains closed while investigation is underway.
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Two die in two-plane crash at Westerly State Airport

WESTERLY, R.I. (AP) Two men were killed and three others
were injured when two small planes crashed in midair Sunday
at Westerly State Airport, officials said.

All five people were admitted to Westerly Hospital. Two men
died later, hospital spokeswoman Judith West said. The
others were treated for minor injuries and released, she
said.

The three survivors were aboard a Piper Arrow from Windham
Aviation in Willimantic, Conn., WTNH-TV reported. The two
men who died were flying a Cessna 182 from Westerly.

The victims' identities have not been released because
authorities were notifying families, West said.

The airplanes crashed about 100 feet above the runway,
according to Ted Drozdz, chief aeronautics inspector for
Rhode Island Airport Corp. He said the airport does not have
an air traffic control tower, but pilots notify each other
when they are taking off and landing.

Patti Goldstein, a spokeswoman for the airport, said it was
not clear what caused the collision, which happened at about
2 p.m.

Drozdz said the airport would be closed Sunday night to
better inspect the runway, and the investigation would
continue Monday.

The airport is operated by the Airport Corporation. It is
near Misquamicut State Beach, in the southwest section of
town.

http://www.thekansascitychannel.com/...59/detail.html

http://www.abc6.com/article.php?ID=4007