2 South Carolina residents were killed after their small plane crashed in northern Arizona.
Charles Trotter, 47, of Liberty, SC and Dakota Jacks, 15, from Pickens, SC were aboard the plane which took off from Las Vegas on June 20. It then landed in Page for a while and departed again at about 1:30 p.m. Authorities said that the last contact with the pilot was established off a Navajo Mountain tower, shortly after the plane took off from Page. Coconino County Sheriff’s office confirmed that the pilot had not filed a flight plane.
According to Sgt. Aaron Dick from Coconino County Sheriff’s office, the deputies received a report of missing, South-Carolina-bound 1961 Mooney M20B plane at about 7:30 a.m. on June 22. The Civil Air Patrol Wings started the search operation, extending over Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado and Utah. He also said that they were notified about possible wreckage in Peach Canyon, Navajo Nation, at about 1:40 p.m. On June 22.
A sheriff’s deputy was then sent to the area, in a department of Public Safety helicopter, who located the wreckage of the missing plane. The bodies of both the pilot and the passenger were also found with the wreckage.
Trotter was piloting the time at the time of crash. His family later released a statement which said, “Charles Michael Trotter, 47 years old, died doing what he loves-flying his plane. Devoted husband, loved his wife, loved flying, and loved Jesus. Now he is at home with his Lord and Savior. May he rest in peace.”
Dakota was a friend of Trotter’s family; he attended Pickens High School and Pickens View Wesleyan Church.
The NTSB is investigating the cause of accident.