7 Year Old Survives Plane Crash, 4 Killed

A small plane went down in western Kentucky Friday evening, killing four people, according to Sgt. Dean Patterson with the Kentucky State Police.

A 7-year-old girl was the only survivor. She was taken to a local hospital with "non-life threatening injuries," Patterson said.

A resident in the area called 911 after the girl walked up to his house, telling him she had been in a plane crash.


"FAA air traffic controllers lost contact with a Piper PA-34 aircraft ... shortly after the pilot reported engine problems, and told air traffic controllers that he was diverting to the Kentucky Dam State Airport," said FAA Communications Manager Kathleen Bergen.

The twin-engine aircraft, which can seat up to six people, was found in Lyon County, about 30 miles east of Paducah.

The Kentucky State Police say the plane was en route to Mount Vernon, Illinois, from Key West, Florida.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating and are expected to arrive at the scene on Saturday.