1 dead, 1 in critical condition after Gainesville plane crash

GAINESVILLE, Ga - Gainesville Police say one man is dead, another is in critical condition after a single-engine plane crashed near Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport on Saturday night.

Investigators say the crash happened around 7 p.m. The small plane, a 2015 Lancair International Legacy RG, started coming down outside of the airport near Queen City Parkway. It struck the tip of some trees and hit an unoccupied light tower upon approach. The aircraft ultimately crashed on airport property. It's currently stuck in a ravine, which police say is difficult to reach.

Once paramedics arrived on scene, the two men were rushed to Northeast Georgia Hospital in critical condition.

Officials say 68-year-old Cumming resident Robert Carlisle Alberhasky, the owner of the plane and who was believed to be the pilot at the time, died due to injuries from the crash. The other occupant, 69-year-old Flowery Branch resident Mark Lewis, is in stable condition.

The cause of the crash is unknown at this time, and the investigation has been transferred to the National Transportation Safety Board.

Queen City Parkway was closed between Aviation Blvd. and West Ridge Road as emergency crews remained on scene. Queen City Parkway has since reopened.