Two reported killed in plane crash

August 29, 2009

Patti Dozier The Times Enterprise Sat Aug 29, 2009, 12:18 AM EDT

THOMASVILLE — A Florida-bound plane’s last radar coordinate was over Brooks County Thursday night.

On Friday morning, a Georgia State Patrol helicopter found aircraft wreckage in woods near Pavo.

“The plan was coming from Mobile, Ala., to Perry, Fla.,” said Senior Lt. Ron James, commander of the Thomas County Sheriff’s Office patrol unit.

Two Thomas County deputies, among other Thomas County emergency personnel, responded Friday to the crash site in Brooks County.

The plane went down about one-half mile from Pavo between Beatty Road and Highway 33 South, said Pavo police Chief Sydney Turner.

Brooks County Sheriff’s Office personnel were at the crash scene Friday and could not be reached for comment.

James said the Brooks sheriff’s office was contacted Thursday night about the possibility that the plane had gone down there. Officers looked for smoke or fire to indicate wreckage.

No signs of a crash were found. Officials waited for daylight to resume the search.

James said two people are believed to have died in the crash.

Information was not available about how many people were in the aircraft or the type of plane.

Federal Aviation Administration officials were to arrive Friday afternoon.

Thomas County emergency medical service and fire department personnel responded to the crash site.

Martin Smith, captain/co-director of the Thomas County Emergency Medical Service, said his agency sent an ambulance and extrication unit to the scene, but did not go near the crash site.

“We were released by the Brooks County Sheriff’s Department,” Smith said.

A Thomas County Fire Department engine and medical unit also responded, but did not assist, said Chris Jones, fire chief.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820.