WHITEVILLE, N.C. — Emergency personnel rushed to a heavily wooded area south of Whiteville late Wednesday night following reports of a small aircraft crash.
Dispatchers received a 911 call at approximately 10:19 p.m. directing first responders to the scene near the intersection of Rough and Ready Road and Shade Fisher Road.
Upon arriving, emergency crews located the downed single-engine aircraft inside a dense tree line off the roadway. Despite the potential severity of the impact, officials confirmed that the occupants inside the plane survived the forced landing and walked out of the woods under their own power to meet responding units. Paramedics evaluated the individuals at the scene for minor injuries.
Federal Investigators Take Over Site Review
Because the crash involved a civil aircraft, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are taking charge of the investigation. Local law enforcement secured the perimeter overnight to ensure physical evidence remains undisturbed.
Airworthiness inspectors from the FAA’s regional Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) are expected on-scene Thursday morning to perform an initial physical assessment. Their work will focus on three key investigation areas:
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Site & Wreckage Examination: Documenting the distribution of debris, tree impact marks, engine and propeller condition, control surface integrity, and remaining fuel levels.
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Pilot & Operational Review: Reviewing the pilot’s flight plan, medical certification, total flight hours, and weather conditions at the time of the 10:19 p.m. forced landing.
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Database & Initial Logging: The FAA is expected to publish a preliminary entry in its Aviation Accident & Incident database within 24 to 48 hours.
Because there were no fatal or critical injuries, the NTSB will review the FAA’s field data before deciding whether to publish a formal NTSB Preliminary Report, which typically takes 7 to 15 business days.
Developmental Note: This is a developing report. Updates will be published as official FAA registry logs and field reports become available.
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