Authorities have released new information regarding the tragic crash of a private plane that claimed the lives of two men on Thursday afternoon. The incident occurred at the Barwick-Lafayette Airport in Walker County, Georgia.
According to the Lafayette Police Department, the plane, a Cirrus SR22, had been flying in traditional training patterns prior to the crash. At approximately 2:30 p.m., the plane crashed while attempting to land at the airport.
The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed the aircraft involved was a Cirrus SR22, a model known for its safety features.
Morty Lloyd, an aviation expert with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, spoke about the aircraft’s reputation for being one of the safest on the market.
“From the parachute system to anti-icing, to airbag seatbelts, and a built-in roll cage within the cabin, the aircraft is extremely sturdy and has been in use for over 20 years now,” said Lloyd.
The Cirrus SR22 is equipped with a parachute system, which allows the pilot to deploy a large parachute in the event of an emergency.
However, Lloyd explained that this system requires the aircraft to be at an altitude of at least 800 to 1,000 feet to function effectively, meaning it may not be usable in low-altitude emergencies, such as one close to the ground.
Emergency crews arrived at the crash site shortly after the incident.
Stacey Meeks with the City of Lafayette described the scene, explaining that the severity of the crash made it remarkable that both men’s cellphones were found completely intact among the debris.
“It was just remarkable how they were discovered,” Meeks said. “You would think from the severity of the crash you wouldn’t have devices that were intact like they were.”
The phones played a key role in identifying the victims.
“Subsequent follow-up investigations confirmed it was those two individuals,” Meeks explained, adding that officers were sent out to personally notify the families.
