Russel Edward Jones, Steven Boyd Powell Obituary, Death – Authorities in Walker County have released the identities of the two men who lost their lives in a tragic plane crash at Barwick–LaFayette Airport on Thursday.
According to LaFayette Public Safety Director Stacey Meeks, officials were able to determine the victims’ identities through their mobile phones. The deceased have been identified as 48-year-old Russel Edward Jones of LaFayette and 52-year-old Steven Boyd Powell of Cartersville.
Meeks stated that Powell owned the aircraft involved in the crash. While Powell was already a certified pilot, he was in the process of upgrading his pilot license, potentially to a commercial pilot license. Jones, on the other hand, was serving as his flight instructor.
Although the exact cause of the accident remains unknown, authorities noted that there was a sudden and dramatic change in the flight’s trajectory as they attempted to land. Investigators have yet to determine what led to this abrupt shift.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has taken over the investigation, with officials arriving at the crash site on Friday morning to begin their inquiry.
As this is an ongoing investigation, more details are expected to emerge in the coming days.
