Plane Was Giving Rides Before Air Show

Three people died Saturday in a takeoff crash of a Beechcraft F33 Bonanza, before the start of the annual Wings and Wheels Air and Car Show in Birmingham, AL.

Witnesses told the Birmingham News they heard the plane's engine make "sputtering" noises as the plane left the runway, before the plane made a steep left turn. The aircraft impacted the ground just south of the runway. 

Onboard the Beech were pilot Clayton Reuse, and passengers John Smitherman and his 11-year-old son, Landon.

The Shelby County Reporter says the plane (file photo of type, below) was giving 10-minute, $25 rides offered by the Birmingham Aero Club, as part of a fundraiser for the Southern Museum of Flight, before the start of the show.

Wings and Wheels officials said the accident flight was supposed to be the last of the day. The air show went on as scheduled Saturday... although show personnel weren't sure how the accident would affect similar rides planned for Sunday.

The FAA and NTSB were on the scene Sunday to begin the investigation into the accident.

FMI: www.bhmairshow.com, www.faa.gov