According to information provided by their family, a couple who enjoyed flying together was killed in an aircraft catastrophe that occurred in the state of Georgia.
The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office (OCSO) said that a small aircraft that was transporting the couple was involved in an accident near Watkinsville on Wednesday just after 2:30 p.m. local time.
According to a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that was received, the single-engine Cessna 177B that was on board made an emergency landing in a field that is located to the southwest of the Athens Ben Epps Airport.
Robert Denton, who was 76 years old, and Sandra Denton, who was 75 years old, were named as the victims by family members in a statement that was released by the sheriff’s office on Friday.
They remarked, “We are devastated,” and pointed out that the two individuals were “both seasoned pilots.”
“While taken from us far too soon, we find comfort knowing they were together and doing what they loved, flying,” the family said in an additional statement.
According to the statement, Robert and Sandra were in the process of flying the aircraft that belonged to their family from Leesburg, Florida, to Winder, Georgia, when the accident occurred.
According to the Athens Banner-Herald, Oconee County Sheriff James Hale said that the aircraft was completely destroyed upon impact.
According to Robert and Sandra’s family, they were “beloved residents” of the communities of Williamsburg and Clare, Michigan, as well as the retirement community of The Villages, which is located in the state of Florida.
Members of the couple’s family have claimed that Robert and Sandra “lived life to the fullest” and were two of the kindest and most loving individuals you could ever want to meet. Our hearts are filled with gratitude for the outpouring of support that Robert and Sandra’s numerous friends and neighbors have given to our family at this difficult time.
According to the sheriff’s office, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are investigating the collision.
The request for a statement made was not immediately met with a response from the NTSB.
