Daijiworld Media Network - Washington (SHP)
Washington, Aug 10: On Thursday morning, a private plane crashed in the backyard of a suburban Philadelphia home. The crash resulted in the death of an Indian-American family; victims have been identified as 60-year-old Dr Jasvir Khurana, a leading Indian-American doctor, his wife, 54-year-old Dr Divya Khurana and their 19-year-old daughter, Kiran Khurana. The family is survived by their elder daughter who was not present in the plane, as per authorities.
According to reports in Philadelphia Inquirer, Jasvir was flying the plane as he is a licensed pilot. The couple was both physician and researcher trained at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), who moved to the United States over 20 years ago.
The plane was in the air for three minutes before its single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza went down. Soon after the police received an emergency call, they reached the crash site and discovered the bodies and the debris were spread over four yards.
According to the Upper Moreland Township Police, fortunately, the crash did not cause any casuality on the ground.
One of the officials describing the crash said, "It crashed into a yard and eventually continued on and hit several trees and a shed in a yard before coming to rest in the woods. It is a strictly residential neighborhood. I do not know what the pilot was thinking or what he was doing, but it is a miracle that no homes were struck," Murphy said.
Dr Jasvir Khurana was a faculty member in the department of Pathology at Temple University where he studied bone pathology. "Dr Khurana has been a valued faculty member in the department of Pathology at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University since 2002. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones," the university said in a statement.
Dr Divya Khurana, was a doctor at St Christopher's Hospital for Children. "Divya was loved by her patients and students alike. Her sudden passing has left a void in the hearts of all who knew and loved her," St Christopher's said in a statement.
Kiran Khurana, their 19-year-old daughter, graduated last year from Harriton High School in Bryn Mawr, where she was on a nationally ranked squash team and also took active part in theatre productions.
One of the eyewitnesses, Chris Crane stated that he heard a ‘thunderous bang’ and added that there was a strong smell of fuel following the crash. "I thank God that it missed our homes," Crane said.
Faith Stander who lives a few doors down from the Khuranas said, "They were just wonderful, lovely, sweet neighbours.”
Adam Gerhardt, an air safety investigator for the NTSB, told The Philadelphia Inquirer, investigation could last several days. However, a preliminary report is expected in 10-15 days. The final report will be prepared within a year, the report stated.
Further, no indication of the pilot making a distress call was found.