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A small plane crashed into Lake Pontchartrain near New Orleans on Monday evening (November 24) during a training flight, prompting an ongoing search and rescue operation. The aircraft, a Cessna 172N, lost communication with air traffic control approximately four miles north of Lakefront Airport, according to the United States Coast Guard. The plane was operated by Apollo Flight Training, a Mississippi-based flight school.
On board were an instructor and a student, both in their mid-20s, who were on a training flight from Gulfport, Mississippi, to New Orleans to practice approaches. The instructor, described as "highly qualified," was close to meeting the requirements to become an airline pilot, while the student was working towards a commercial and instrument license.
The Coast Guard reported spotting water discoloration and debris, including a seat cushion, in Lake Pontchartrain shortly after the crash. The search resumed the following day, with multiple agencies involved. Mike Carastro, owner of Apollo Flight Training, stated that the crash was likely not due to mechanical failure. He noted the challenges of night flights over water, which can cause pilots to experience vertigo.
The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are leading the investigation into the crash. The cause remains unknown, and the names of the instructor and student have not been released. The search for the plane and its occupants continues, with authorities hopeful for recovery soon. Carastro described the incident as an "unbelievable tragedy," marking the first such incident in his 46-year career.