A small plane crashed in a tragic accident, just minutes after taking off from Georgia’s Covington Municipal Airport, killing both people on board. The fatal plane crash happened late Saturday night. The aircraft was only in the air for about 20 minutes before going down in a wooded area near the runway.
Investigation Underway
The single-engine aircraft took off around 11 p.m and concerns were raised shortly after when tracking data showed it was going down. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) contacted local authorities at 11:21 p.m and reported a loss of communication with the aircraft. A few minutes later, Newton County officers found the wreckage in a heavily wooded area just north of the airport. Both occupants were pronounced dead at the scene.
The Covington Police Department said in a statement:
On February 15, 2025, the Covington Police Department officers responded to the Covington Municipal Airport at approximately 11:21 p.m. after receiving a call from the FAA in reference to a single-engine aircraft that had taken off at approximately 11:00 p.m. There was no further communication from the aircraft after takeoff.
Officers located the aircraft in the woods just north of the runway. Two individuals were located with the aircraft and were pronounced deceased at the scene.
FAA and NTSB officials are investigating the cause of the crash. Preliminary reports say the plane descended rapidly, but it’s not clear if it was mechanical failure, pilot error or environmental factors. They will be looking at flight data, radio transmissions and weather to figure out what went wrong in the last few minutes of the flight.
Covington Municipal Airport, a hub for private and small commercial flights, has not had a major plane crash in years, making this a significant event for local aviation officials.
String of Tragic Accidents
This is the latest in a string of fatal plane crashes in the US in recent weeks. Just days ago Vince Neil’s private Learjet 35A veered off the runway in Scottsdale, Arizona and collided with another plane killing the pilot. Neil’s girlfriend was also injured in the crash.
In another tragic accident, six people including an 11-year old-girl died when a medical transport jet crashed shortly after takeoff in Philadelphia. The victims included medical staff and a paramedic accompanying the young patient home to Mexico.
Safety Concerns and Next Steps
While commercial air travel is one of the safest modes of transportation, recent crashes have raised concerns about aviation safety. The FAA and NTSB are emphasising the importance of strict safety protocols, pilot training and aircraft maintenance to prevent more of these tragedies.
As the investigations continue, families are mourning their loved ones, and authorities are trying to figure out what went wrong. Our thoughts are with all those affected.
