RICHMOND COUNTY, GA—Following a plane crash near Daniel Village Thursday morning, authorities have closed the intersection of Hillcrest Ave at Belmont Dr for the next 48 hours. The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, currently on the scene, reported that a single-engine Beechcraft 36 crashed in a residential area after striking a tree while attempting to return to Daniel Field. The Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are heading the investigation.
The FAA has advised motorists to seek alternate routes when traveling in the vicinity. Augusta University and Augusta Baptist Church have identified the pilot as Jason McKenzie, the associate director of philanthropy at the school, who was the only person aboard during the incident.