Pilot killed in small plane crash near Athens airport, FAA says

ATHENS, Ga. - Emergency crews have responded to an aircraft crash near Athens-Ben Epps Airport.

The FAA said around 7 p.m. a single-engine Piper PA-24 crashed a quarter mile east of the airport in Athens-Clarke County. 

According to investigators, the pilot had radioed that he was having mechanical issues before the crash. 

Federal officials said only a pilot was on board at the time of the crash. The pilot, who has not been identified, has died in the crash.

Athens police confirmed they were assisting firefighters with securing the scene, but didn’t have any other information.

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash.

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