Two men are recovering after surviving a plane crash Thursday afternoon near Mount Mitchell State Park.
The FAA reported that the plane took off from Donaldson Center Airport in Greenville, SC heading to Medina Municipal Airport in Ohio. Air traffic controllers lost contact with the plane just before 1pm as the plane was passing over Yancey County.
The pilot was reporting weather related problems just before communication was lost. The plane was a Cirrus SR-22 and went down less than a mile away from the Mount Mitchell Ranger Station. This model of plane had an emergency parachute. Park rangers heard an explosion and watched the plane parachute to the ground near Mount Mitchell State Park.
The pilot and passenger were treated for minor injuries at the Mount Mitchell Ranger Station. One of the men was taken to the hospital to check on his prosthetic leg.
The plane was found around 2:30 p.m. and the two passengers were helped away from the scene. Yancey County EMS Director Jeff Howell praised emergency teams for a quick response.
Yancey Communications, Newdale Fire Department, Yancey County Rescue Squad, South Toe Fire, Yancey County Sheriff’s Department, Mt. Mitchell State Park, Yancey County EMS, Reems Creek Fire Department all assisted in the event.
