STATESVILLE, N.C. — A tragic incident unfolded Thursday at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina when a Cessna C550 business jet crashed during landing, resulting in a large fire and multiple fatalities, authorities confirmed. Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell stated that there were confirmed fatalities but did not disclose the exact number of casualties.

The accident took place shortly after 10 a.m., approximately 45 miles north of Charlotte. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the crash occurred at the end of the runway. Airport director John Ferguson reported that the airport is now closed until further notice, citing the need for time to clear debris from the runway.

Initial investigations are being led by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the FAA, with meteorological conditions indicating drizzle and cloud cover at the time of the incident.

Video footage from WSOC-TV captured the urgency of the situation as first responders quickly arrived on-site to tackle the flames and assess the wreckage. The Statesville Regional Airport is known for its corporate aviation services, primarily catering to Fortune 500 companies and several NASCAR teams.

This developing story remains under investigation as updates will be provided as more information becomes available.