Wind Blamed For Single-Engine Plane Crash

Strong winds today are being blamed on a plane crash in Hart County.

A representative from the Federal Aviation Administration will be in Hartwel to investigate a small plane crash.

It happened Wednesday morning at a small air strip on Mt. Olivet Road in Hartwell.

Hart County EMA Director Terrell Partain said the pilot and his father were attempting to take off when the plane went off the runway.

“The wind caught them just as they were trying to get off the ground and spun the plane around,” Partain said. “The wind caused the wing on the left side to tip and catch the bushes.”

Partain said the owner of the plane is an experienced pilot and former commercial pilot.  He said the pilot, who has not been identified, and his father were planning to fly to a location in South Carolina when the accident happened.

According to Partain, the pilot’s father suffered minor injuries, but will be OK.  The plane was a vintage single-engine Cessna from the 1940’s that Partain said had recently been restored.

According to Partain, the FAA investigation is required in any plane accident.

“Anytime the aircraft has a tail number on it, the FAA has to be notified,” he said. “They’ve already interviewed the pilot, but they will send a representative out to supervise when the plane is being moved.” 

Pilot’s name has not been released.