Airplane crashes at Franklin Municipal Airport

Published 6:11 pm Tuesday, December 27, 2022

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A single-engine airplane crashed Monday evening, Dec. 26, at the Franklin Municipal Airport, resulting in non-life-threatening injuries to the pilot, according to the Virginia State Police.

The Tuesday, Dec. 27, VSP news release stated that preliminary investigations had revealed that the pilot of a Cessna 177 Cardinal single-engine plane, Randall Barger, of Newport News, crashed as he was approaching the runway. Barger was the only occupant of the plane.

Franklin City Manager Amanda C. Jarratt said the incident occurred at approximately 8:48 p.m. on Monday.

“Responders from Isle of Wight County Emergency Services, Carrsville Volunteer Fire Department, the Virginia State Police, the Franklin Police Department and the airport manager arrived on the scene shortly thereafter and were able to transport the pilot to (Sentara) Norfolk General (Hospital) with non-life-threatening injuries,” she said.

She noted that the airport was not manned at the time of the incident.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the VSP are investigating the cause of the incident, she stated.

“We are grateful for the quick reaction by the first responders and that the pilot is safe,” she said. “Our staff is on-site cooperating fully with their investigation.”