The Daily Citizen, Dalton, GA

State News

February 9, 2010

1 dead in small plane crash

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. (AP) — Investigators say one is dead and three suffered burns after a small plane crashed in Gwinnett County Monday.

Gwinnett County Fire Captain Tommy Rutledge confirmed that the pilot of the Beech 65 twin-engine died in the wreck, which happened around Simmons Circle and Spring Circle in Lawrenceville.

Rutledge said three more passengers suffered non life-threatening burn injuries and were transported to Gwinnett Medical Center.

Federal Aviation Administration records show the plane was manufactured in 1960 and was registered to a Robert Peter Watson Sr., of Dawsonville.

Firefighters responded to the crash shortly after 5 p.m. to find the plane engulfed in flames with the pilot still inside, Rutledge said. The passengers had managed to get out, he said.

Rutledge did not immediately identify the deceased, pending notification of family members.

Firefighters discovered the plane behind a house in a wooded area not far from downtown Lawrenceville and a nearby neighborhood.

“We believe the plane may have impacted a tree,” Rutledge said, adding officials are still investigating the cause of the wreck.

Nobody on the ground was injured.

Investigators believe the plane crashed shortly after taking off from Gwinnett County Airport at around 5 p.m.

Text Only
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
AP Video
Syrian Boy Speaks Out, Survives Family Massacre Judge Tells John Edwards Jury: Keep Deliberating House Rejects Sex-selection Abortion Ban Bush, Obama on Stage Together Share Laughs SpaceX Dragon Returns to Earth Warming Gas Levels Hit 'Troubling Milestone' Youngest-ever Speller Disappointed by Mistake 2 American Tourists Kidnapped in Egypt Chen Guangcheng: 'Historic Transition' in China New York City Seeks Big Drink Ban Los Angeles Bans Plastic Grocery Bags Raw Video: SpaceX Dragon Leaves Space Station Police: Gunman Kills 5, Self in Seattle Experts: Americans Must Prepare for Storm Season Forest Fire Becomes New Mexico's Largest Ever Montreal Police: Mailed Body Parts From Same Man Facebook Expands Campus As Stock Shrinks