3 killed in small plane crash near Claxton, Georgia

A small plane carrying three people crashed in a wooded area near the Georgia airport in western Savannah, local and federal officials said. There were no survivors.

The aircraft, a single-engine Piper PA-30, was reported missing around 00:30 on Monday morning. The wreckage was found in a wooded area east of the Claxton-Evans County airport after a five-hour search.

The airport is located north of Claxton and about 72 miles west of Savannah.

“Three adult men were found on board the plane, none of whom survived,” the Evans County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement. The victims’ identities were not made public until notified by their next of kin.

“Our hearts go out to the families involved in this tragic incident, and our hearts go out to them during this time,” the sheriff’s office said.

The cause of Monday’s accident was not immediately clear. Both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating.

This is the site of a plane crash early this morning in Claxton, where officials said three people were killed. We are waiting for the FAA to arrive to provide more information. Here’s tonight’s live report. @WSAV pic.twitter.com/EMcl95o0bs

— Kaley Fedko WSAV (@kaleyfedkotv) June 26, 2023