Student Pilot Flying Plane That Crashes Near Bowie

BOWIE, MD — A small single-engine airplane flown by a student pilot was trying to lane when it struck a fence and crashed Thursday afternoon, according to Maryland State Police.

The mishap was reported shortly before 2:45 p.m. to the Maryland State Police, College Park Barrack. Officers responded to a reported airplane crash at the Freeway Airport located near Mitchellville.

Two occupants in a 1983 Cessna 172P (Skyhawk II) fixed-wing, four-seat airplane crashed at the airport, 3900 Church Road, Bowie. The trainer was the passenger and the student pilot was at the controls.

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As the plane was being landed by the student, the plane approached the end of the runway and hit the fence that separated the airport from Eastbound US-Rt. 50. No injuries were reported.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transpiration Safety Board were contacted and will investigate.

There are no lane closures as a result of this incident, however, the traffic delay extended about 3 miles on Eastbound US-Rt. 50.

The Maryland State Police handled the initial investigation and the State Highway Administration handled traffic congestion.

»Photos of Freeway Airport crash courtesy of Maryland State Police