One Dead In Oak Hill Plane Crash

Oak Hill, FL – Volusia County deputies say the pilot of a small experimental plane is dead following a crash that took crews hours to find. A call about a possible plane crash came in shortly before noon on Wednesday (Nov. 10), bringing deputies to the area north of Blue Ridge Flightpark Airport. Responding deputies, however, did not find a downed plane. Investigators then talked to residents who said all of the aircraft stationed in the area were on the ground at the time. Later that afternoon, deputies were notified about an emergency beacon activation from an aircraft earlier in the morning. Deputies then conducted a well-being check at the pilot’s home but got no answer at the door. The man’s hangar was also empty. Crews then searched extensively for the plane until they found the wreckage at 7:11 p.m. in a heavily wooded area. According to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office, while the likely identity of the pilot is known, positive identification has not been made at this time. Investigators have also been in contact with family members. Release of his name and official notification of next of kin is still pending positive identification. The FAA and NTSB have since taken over the investigation.