The pilot of the plane that crashed Wednesday night in Athens has been identified as a man from Texas: his name has not yet been released. He was apparently trying to make an emergency landing after developing engine trouble during a flight that began in North Carolina. His plane went down in woods off Cherokee Road, coming up just short of Athens-Ben Epps Airport. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.
From Athens-Clarke Co Coroner Sonny Wilson…
The flight originated in Louisburg NC at 15:30 yesterday. He had recently bought the aircraft from an estate and was taking it back to Lucus, Texas where he resided. The plane is a 1962 Piper PA-24 -250 Comanche. He apparently developed some type of engine issues and was attempting to reach Athens. He had been cleared to land however the plane crashed about a mile off Buddy Christian Way in a heavily wooded area. The pilot is a 55 year old male and was the only soul on board the aircraft. Positive identification will be made at the GBI Crime Lab due to the events of the crash. He owns an electrical contracting company.