A tragic accident claimed the lives of two individuals on Saturday night when their single-engine aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff from Covington Municipal Airport.
The Covington Police Department released a statement detailing the accident, which occurred over the weekend.
At approximately 11:21 PM on February 15, 2025, Covington Police Department officers were dispatched to the airport following a notification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Crash after Takeoff Covington Airport, GA
The FAA had lost contact with a single-engine aircraft that had taken off from Covington Municipal Airport (CVC) at approximately 11:00 PM local time.
The statement confirmed the aircraft had failed to make any further communication after its departure. The aircraft, a single-engine Rockwell Commander, was reportedly bound for Valdosta Regional Airport, GA (VLD).
Responding officers initiated a search of the surrounding area and located the downed aircraft in a wooded area just north of the runway.
Tragically, two individuals were pronounced dead at the scene of the light plane crash. The Newton County Coroner identified the two deceased in the crash as James Hardee and Janet Hardee.
The aircraft involved was a single-engine Rockwell Commander, registered N1423J. The circumstances surrounding the crash are currently under investigation by both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Early reports suggest that the aircraft was seen descending rapidly shortly after takeoff from runway 10 Covington Municipal Airport. It is unclear whether mechanical factors, weather or pilot error is responsible.
Reported Weather Conditions
The reported weather conditions at CVC around the time of the accident included a ceiling of 200 feet. Visibility was reduced to 0.25 miles due to drizzle and fog.
Investigators will now examine the wreckage, weather conditions, and any other potential contributing factors to determine the cause of the accident.
The Covington Police Department is cooperating fully with the FAA and NTSB in their investigation of the light plane crash. The airport remains open, though it is likely that operations were temporarily affected immediately following the crash.
Covington Municipal Airport is a general aviation airport located just north of Covington, Georgia. It serves primarily as a hub for private pilots and smaller aircraft. It caters principally to recreational flying, flight training, and some business travel. The airport features a single runway, typically accommodating single-engine and light twin-engine aircraft.
This tragic crash near Covington comes amidst a concerning trend of fatal aviation accidents in the United States.
While the circumstances of each incident vary, the recent series of crashes has raised concerns about aviation safety. They have prompted calls for a review of safety protocols.
Further updates are expected to be released by the investigating agencies as the inquiry progresses.
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