By Dan Parker
An investigation has begun into why a plane crashed into a busy Feilding park, killing two men today.
Police are yet to name the men but have identified the aircraft as a Russian Yak.
The impact of the crash sent debris flying across Timona Park and left the cockpit and engine of the plane in a mangled heap.
The crash happened at around 10:45am this morning and was seen by many.
“[The] plane looked like it was getting ready to do aerobatics [then] went down really quick,” says a witness called Gary.
The plane had only been in the sky for around 25 minutes before it crashed. It took off from nearby Taonui Aerodrome.
“I was hanging out the washing this morning when I heard this plane come over, it made a strange noise like the engine had cut out and it just disappeared,” says Lois Cole.
It is understood the plane was an Aerostar Yak 52TW.
Because it is a public holiday in Feilding there were more people than usual in Timona Park and police say it is very lucky no one else was hurt by the crash.
Police say they are having trouble locating one of the men's next of kin, who are overseas, and are yet to name either of the victims.
“They are both well known in the Manawatu, although one is not a resident [in Feilding],” says inspector Mark Harrison, “and at the moment we are just working with the families making sure they have support and all the advice and information we can give them at this stage.”
A portion of Timona Park has now been cordoned off and closed to the public while Civil Aviation investigators scour wreckage to try to find out what went so terribly wrong.
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