A small plane crashed at a Georgia airport on Thursday, March 20, as it attempted to land on the runway. Following the crash, several explosions were reported, which in turn engulfed the private low-wing in flames. The two people aboard the plane died as a result of the crash.
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In a statement shared with multiple outlets, including PEOPLE, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the private plane, a Cirrus SR22 crashed at around 2:30 p.m. local time while landing at Barwick-LaFayette Airport.
LaFayette Public Safety Director Stacey Meeks confirmed to Local 3 News that 48-year-old Rusell Edward Jones and 52-year-old Steven Boyd Powell tragically died during the crash. Reportedly, both Jones and Powell were licensed pilots.
Meeks, as per WTVC, revealed that the plane had crashed "at the north end of the runway." Crews arrived at the scene but were met with multiple explosions that engulfed both the plane and the runway in flames. Currently, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the plane crash investigation.
"Our hearts go out to them," Meeks said. It's a very tragic and horrific thing to see. And you know, we do have a lot of sympathy for them. It's terrible what they're having to endure right now"
A local worker, Gabrielle Herston, shared with WTVC that she heard a loud crash at the time. Herston, however, would have never guessed it came from the airport.
"I didn't think it happened somewhere so close to home, Herston said. "I just moved back down to the area, so being down here and hearing something like that was kind of shocking."
Heartfelt Tribute
Steven Boyd Powell's twin sister, Stephanie Jean Powell McCarthy, shared a heartfelt tribute to her twin brother on
Facebook."My world has been put upside down. We were more than just siblings; we were twins, and our bond was unlike any other. Losing my twin is like losing a part of myself," Stephanie wrote. "He was my other half, my constant companion, and my best friend I am struggling to find the words to express the depth of my sorrow. This is a loss that will forever be felt, and I am heartbroken. I will miss him dearly, and his memory will live on in my heart."
