A married father, Jason McKenzie, tragically died when his small plane crashed in a upscale neighborhood in Augusta, Georgia. The single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza A36 went down on the front lawn of a large home, bursting into flames just feet away from the mansion. Despite the crash, no one on the ground was injured, with neighbors and first responders crediting McKenzie for maneuvering the plane to avoid hitting any homes before it went down. McKenzie, who worked as the associate director of philanthropy at Augusta University, leaves behind a wife and young son. He had just taken off from Daniel Field Airport on his way to Connecticut before the crash occurred at 625 feet. The cause of the crash is still under investigation by the authorities.
First responders at the scene of the crash praised McKenzie for his actions in steering the plane away from causing more injuries on the ground. It was noted by experts that it was fortunate the plane did not hit any homes, preventing further damage and potential casualties. Despite the severity of the crash, only the pilot was killed, with no additional injuries reported. The left wingtip of the plane remained lodged in a tree for several hours until firefighters were able to safely remove it. The crash site was a terrifying and chaotic scene for neighbors who heard the loud noise of the crash and witnessed the aftermath, with many describing it as a shocking moment to witness.
Neighbors in the area recounted the harrowing experience of hearing the plane go down and the subsequent crash. Lisa Lewis, who lives near the crash site, described how she was waking her son up for school when she heard the plane making an unusually loud noise. The crash was so close that it sounded like it was right outside her window, with the noise getting progressively louder before the crash occurred. The sound of the impact was described as a loud banging pop, leaving residents shaken by the proximity of the incident to their homes. Despite the intensity of the crash, Lewis and others in the neighborhood were grateful that no one else was harmed in the accident.
Jason McKenzie, who was a husband and father, was on his way to New Haven, Connecticut when the tragic crash took place. His sudden and untimely death has left his family and community in mourning, with many expressing shock and sadness over the loss of such a respected member of the community. McKenzie’s role at Augusta University was noted by colleagues and friends, who remembered him as a dedicated professional and caring individual. The impact of his death has been felt by many, with tributes pouring in for McKenzie and his family in the wake of the accident.
The National Transportation Safety Board is conducting an investigation into the crash, working to determine the cause of the accident and any contributing factors. The Federal Aviation Administration is also involved in the investigation, seeking to piece together what led to the plane going down in the affluent neighborhood. The investigation will focus on various aspects of the crash, including the condition of the aircraft, the pilot’s actions leading up to the incident, and any external factors that may have played a role. The findings of the investigation will provide further insight into the circumstances surrounding the crash and may help prevent similar incidents in the future.
