Tragic Plane Crash Claims Life of Young Flight Instructor Near Rhode Island Airport
A tragic accident unfolded on Monday as a 21-year-old flight instructor lost his life in a Cessna 172 aircraft crash. The incident occurred near Westerly State Airport in Rhode Island during an attempted emergency landing. The Westerly Police Department identified the young pilot as Isaac Seekell of Charlestown.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the Cessna C172 crashed around 12:05 p.m. local time on May 18, 2026. Seekell was the sole occupant of the aircraft. Authorities reported that Seekell was attempting to land at Westerly State Airport shortly after noon when he was forced to make an emergency landing in a field. First responders rushed him to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) arrived at the scene on Tuesday to spearhead the investigation, with the FAA also participating. The wreckage remained in the grass field near the tree line as federal investigators meticulously documented the scene. The cause of the emergency situation remains under investigation. Westerly Police extended their deepest condolences to Seekell’s family and loved ones.