Bowie, Maryland (Sunday, June 21, 2026) – A small plane went down overnight in Prince George’s County in a wooded area near a Bowie townhouse community and playground. This is a developing story. But authorities say three people on the single-engine plane died. No details as yet on what led to the crash. A Maryland State Police spokesperson says the Piper Cherokee with a pilot and two passengers went down around 11:30 p.m. in the area of Rt. 50 and 301.

Several local agencies responded and began searching including the Prince George’s County Fire Department, Anne Arundel County Police, Bowie City Police, and the Prince George’s County Police Department, along with the Maryland State Police College Park Barrack.

The aircraft was located just before 3:45 p.m. The identities of the victims have not yet been released, pending family notification. Officials say the plane is associated with a flight school out of Montgomery County. Authorities say the plane was headed to Montgomery County Airpark from Ocean City, New Jersey. Police say they learned of the crash from an I-phone notification. No other injuries reported.

Police say the situation could have been a lot worse because the proximity of the crash is right next to a populated community. WHUR’s Music Director Traci Latrelle lives in the Bowie Forest community and says she frequently walks in the area. “I didn’t hear anything last night. But when I woke up this morning I saw emergency crews in the area and many of my neighbors were out talking about what they heard and saw. I am so sorry for those who perished in the plane crash while being thankful nobody else was hurt.”

The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration will be investigating the cause of the crash.