A beautiful family of four died tragically in a small plane crash just miles from home in North Carolina.
Travis Buchanan, 35, Candace Buchanan, 35, Aubrey Buchanan, 10, and Walker Buchanan, 9 were returning from a beach holiday when their plane crashed into a field Monday near Raleigh Executive Jetport.
Three of the victims died instantly, while a fourth perished at a hospital. They were the only people on board.
The small plane crashed in a field off Lower Moncure Road north of Sanford, where the family owned a farm. The crash site was well off the road, making it difficult for first responders, WRAL reported.
Abraham Garcia, a Buchanan Farms employee for eight years, said the family was returning from the beach.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed that the plane departed from Merritt Island, Florida, on Monday around 11:03 a.m. ET.
The family's Cirrus SR22T crashed a little over three hours later around 2:30 p.m. The plane came within five miles of the airport when the pilot reported engine problems and communication issues.
“About 5-6 miles from the airport, the airplane advised a local fixed-base operator about a loss of communications and navigational equipment shortly after they advised the fixed-base operator that they had engine issues,” NTSB aviation accident investigator Ryan Enders said.
The tragedy has shaken the family's community in Sanford, a small city in Lee County located about 40 miles from Raleigh.
"Travis and Candace have worked alongside me from the beginning of my photography business. They were always so generous to offer up farm space for mini-sessions or hosting my mini-session ministry days," wrote Nickie Runyan Photography on Facebook. "It was truly a joy to work alongside them any chance I had, and my entire family loved attending their farm events. They truly were a beacon of light in our community with all that they did."
The school attended by the Buchanans' two young children also shared a heartfelt statement.
"It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of one of our Crusader Families," Grace Christian Sanford School wrote in a post on Facebook.
"The Buchanan Family; Students Aubrey (rising 5th) and Walker (rising 4th) along with their parents, Travis and Candace, went to be with the Lord today," the statement continued.
"During this incredibly difficult time, we stand together in support of their family and one another," the post reads. "We extend our love, prayers and deepest condolences to their family, friends, classmates, teachers and staff."
