Exclusive details: Three killed in small plane crash near Vein Mountain
Officials are investigating the tragic incident near the Rutherford-McDowell County line. The plane was “missing” for nearly twelve hours.
Update: Officials released the identities Tuesday morning. The pilot, Adam Plummer, of Ellenboro, and two passengers, Scott George and Charles Mather Jr., died, according to Lt. Joshua Dowdle of the N.C. State Highway Patrol.
A small plane crashed in the western North Carolina mountains, resulting in the deaths of all three people on board, officials confirmed on Monday.
First responders from McDowell County discovered the wreckage near the Rutherford County line, after receiving a report of a missing aircraft. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated that the single-engine Cessna 182A, built in 1958, carrying three individuals, went down in the mountainous region close to Rutherfordton. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation.
Preliminary information from the NTSB indicated that the aircraft departed from Mountain City, Tennessee, en route to the Rutherford County airport. Transponder data from FlightAware showed that the plane lost signal in McDowell County before the crash on Sunday, and the wreckage was located nearly twelve hours later, on Monday.
It wasn’t until around 6 a.m. Monday that authorities realized something was wrong. The Mountain City airport received a call from the FAA stating that the plane hadn’t arrived in Rutherfordton and asked if it had returned to their airport, WSOC first reported. Subsequently, first responders from both McDowell and Rutherford counties mobilized to locate the missing plane. After discovering the crash site, crews began search and rescue efforts.
Rutherford County Sheriff James Aaron Ellenburg exclusively told Cops & Congress that the actual crash site is in Rutherford County. “It’s a heavily wooded area,” he said.
An NTSB investigator is expected to document and examine the crash site, with a preliminary report anticipated within 30 days. The final report, determining the probable cause of the crash, is expected to take one to two years.
Possible Weather Factors
Officials from Airstar Aviation, the owner of the Cessna 182, suggested that poor weather conditions likely played a role in the crash. Despite clear conditions at takeoff, deteriorating weather is believed to have contributed to the incident, which occurred around 8:57 p.m. on Sunday. The plane was leased to Skydive Carolina.
“6 a.m. this morning is when we received the call of the overdue aircraft,” said McDowell Emergency Services Director Will Kehler. “It was heavy fog. It somewhat hindered our efforts because we were unable to use any type of drone.” Officials said they reached the plane around 9:30 a.m. That is nearly twelve hours after it was last spotted on radar, according to an analysis of available information by Cops & Congress.
Community Impact and Response
Melinda Hester, a local resident, recounted to WSOC seeing the plane flying erratically on Sunday night. "We watched it and it went right, left, straight, and back again. I told my sister, 'this is unreal,'" she said.
Johnson County Airport manager, Dave Garris, expressed his sorrow over the loss of the pilot, whom he knew personally, WLOS reported. "He was a great guy, a dedicated professional," he said. "My thoughts are with his family during this difficult time."
“It is with deep sadness that we confirm the tragic loss of three lives in the downed aircraft located in the Brackett Town Road area off Vein Mountain Road. Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of those affected by this devastating incident.
Emergency personnel responded swiftly and are continuing to work diligently to secure the area. The FAA is currently on the scene of the crash. The NTSB has also been dispatched to the crash site and will lead the investigation. Multiple agencies responded to this incident including McDowell EMS, Dysartsville Fire Department, Nebo Fire Department, Glenwood Fire Department, McDowell County Rescue, McDowell Sheriff’s Office, NC State Parks, McDowell Emergency Management, McDowell Fire Marshal’s Office, NC Highway Patrol, Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office, Rutherford EMS, Rutherford County EM, and the Rutherford County Fire Marshal’s Office.
We ask for the public's continued cooperation in avoiding the Brackett Town Road area to allow our teams to carry out their work effectively.
We appreciate your understanding and respect for the privacy of the families involved during this difficult time.” - McDowell County Emergency Management statement.
Investigators are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the crash, with updates expected as more information becomes available.
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