Two people confirmed dead in plane bound for Rowan County

Published 9:49 pm Wednesday, October 30, 2019

By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

ATLANTA — Two people have been confirmed dead after a single-engine plane bound for Mid-Carolina Regional Airport in Rowan County crashed in Dekalb County, Georgia, according to a Dekalb County spokesman and multiple media outlets.

The plane, a Piper PA-28, crashed after leaving Atlanta Wednesday morning into Clairmont Hills Townhomes on Peachwood Circle.

The Dekalb County government website posted regular updates, and Dekalb County Fire and Rescue Capt. Dion Bentley spoke with reporters throughout the day.

He confirmed the plane was on its way to Rowan County.

Crews from the DeKalb County Public Safety Unified Command were on the scene just after 10 a.m., according to a timeline on the county’s website.

The Unified Command consists of DeKalb County Fire Rescue, DeKalb County Police and DeKalb Emergency Management Agency.

DeKalb-Peachtree Airport confirmed that two people were on the plane that took off from the airport, according to the website. By 11 a.m., the airport confirmed one person had died.

No injuries were reported at the townhouse complex. Displaced families were being assisted by the American Red Cross.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident.

The owner of the plane was not on board but two other people, including a man who is a Rowan County business owner, were on board at the time of the crash, WBTV reported. The Post was unable to confirm that reporting.

“At this time, our thoughts and prayers are with the passengers’ families,” said Valerie Steele, director of Mid-Carolina Regional Airport.

Steele did not comment further.

No other details were provided about the identity of those on the plane.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.