A preliminary report on a plane crash that killed three people in Baldwin offers new insight but few answers as to what might have caused the deadly crash.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the pilot was not receiving radar services, “nor was he in communication with air traffic control (ATC) at the time of the accident.” The report cites interviews with local residents near the airport who told investigators they heard an airplane flying overhead and shortly afterwards heard a “whirling” noise followed by a loud crash.
The report states, “They came outside to see if they could locate where the noise came from, but was (sic) unsuccessful due to the heavy fog and mist in the area. As they searched the area they located the airplane in a ravine and notified the local authorities.”
The single engine plane went down November 4 in a wooded area located a quarter of a mile from the Habersham County Airport. The preliminary report puts the time of the crash at 11:55 p.m. It states the Piper Cherokee crashed “following a loss of control” during an approach to the airport.
The plane’s owner and pilot, 58-year old James Lycett of Port St. Lucie and two passengers — 47-year old Steven Wisor of Fort Pierce and 45-year old Edward Black of Port St. Lucie — were killed in the crash along with two dogs.
The FAA report states their plane left the St. Lucie County International Airport in Ft. Pierce, Florida around 6:30 that evening. No flight plan was filed and the pilot was flying by instruments due to weather conditions.
The airplane was destroyed. The report describes the crash scene in detail:
“Freshly broken tree branches were observed above the wreckage. The airplane was observed in a nose down position and buried about four feet below the surface of the ground. All flight control surfaces were located at the accident site and still attached to the fuselage. Both wings were accordion crushed towards the ground and the tail section of the airplane remained above ground and crushed downward.
…The cockpit, cabin section and empennage were crushed. The instrument panel and instruments were crushed. The throttle, mixture, and carburetor heat control levers were crushed in the forward position. The engine remained partially attached to the firewall.”
READ: Full Preliminary FAA Report
Just a boys’ weekend out
James Lycett was owner of Treasure Coast RV Center and Easy Livin’ RV Campground in Fort Pierce, Florida. He owned a home in Clarkesville, Georgia.
Longtime Lycett friend and employee Chuck Kepford told TCPalm.com the men were traveling to Georgia to golf and shoot targets with others for Lycett’s 58th birthday. “Just a boys weekend out,” said Kepford. “There was eight or 10 of them all meeting up there.” He said the trip to Lycett’s home in Clarkesville was typically an annual event.
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Wisor was Lycett’s friend and employee. Black was Wisor’s cousin and water superintendent for the city of Port St. Lucie.
A joint celebration of life service was scheduled for the three friends November 14th at the American Legion Post 318 in Port St. Lucie.
The airplane was recovered for further examination. Investigators say it could take six months to a year to determine a probable cause of the crash.
