Small airplane crashes into Kennydale Elementary School

Two killed when plane enters building after midair collision

August 4, 2005 — A Cessna airplane crashed through the roof of Kennydale Elementary School today after a midair collision with a float plane which was trying to land at Renton's Municipal Airport.

The pilot and co-pilot of the Cessna, both in their mid-20s, were killed. The float plane landed safely at the Renton airport.

Reasons for the crash are under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board.

Kennydale, built in 1968, is currently being demolished to make way for construction of a new school. Construction workers had finished their work for the day before the accident. No one on the ground was injured and there have been no reports of damage to nearby homes or businesses.

It is unsure how long the investigation will take and when demolition of the building will resume.

“This is a tragic accident and we regret that two young men lost their lives as a result,” said Renton Schools Superintendent Dolores Gibbons. “We’ll do all we can to assist in the investigation, and have confidence in the federal investigators ability to conduct their work in a timely manner,” Superintendent Gibbons continued. “We hope the rebuilding of Kennydale Elementary School will remain on schedule.”