9 People Confirmed Dead in Akron Plane Crash

(ABC News) — All nine people aboard the small jet plane died in Tuesday’s crash in Akron, the Ohio Highway Patrol confirmed at a news conference Wednesday afternoon. No names have been released, although authorities say all next of kin have been contacted.
The company that owns the small jet plane, Pebb Enterprises, confirmed the fatalities this morning.

While they did not release the identities of the victims, the statement released by the company notes that the victims were “two principals and five employees of Pebb Enterprises.”

“We are shocked and deeply saddened for the families, colleagues and friends of those who perished,” the company said in its statement. “Our first priority is to give our fullest support to the family members and loved ones of our co-workers.”

Video courtesy of ABC News

Last night and earlier this morning, authorities had only been able to confirm two deaths but were aware that there could be more as the plane, a Hawker 125-700, could hold up to 10 people.

Even though local investigators responding to the scene said the plane hit a home on the ground, the only casualties were the people on board the plane since no one was inside the home at the time of the Tuesday afternoon crash, authorities said.

The National Transportation Safety Board has launched a go team to Akron to investigate the crash.

A federal source told ABC News on Tuesday that the cause of the crash “appears to be mechanical.”