Sand Avalanche, Manslaughter, Plane had Engine Trouble, and More: MA Patch Today

By PATRICK LUCE (Patch Staff)

The pilot of a small Beechcraft airplane carrying three people radioed air traffic control that he was experiencing engine trouble soon before slamming into a home in Plainville. Investigators have determined that there was indeed damage to the engine, which may have contributed to the crash.

There was more tragedy in the area today as the driver of a front-end loader was killed in a freak sand avalanche, and three teenagers are indicted on manslaughter charges after a brutal beating death.

Also, a former police chief is convicted of drunk driving with a child in the car, a convicted bank robber is going away for a long time, and Boston ramps up security ahead of the 4th of July.