A tragic plane crash took the lives of a family returning home from a beach vacation in Sanford, North Carolina. The news was shared by Grace Christian Sanford School on Facebook, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of the Buchanans: parents Travis and Candice, and their children, Aubrey and Walker.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that a Cirrus SR22 aircraft went down in a wooded area around 1:45 PM on July 7. Reports indicate that three of the four occupants were pronounced dead at the scene, while the fourth succumbed to injuries at a nearby hospital.
The victims were identified as 35-year-old Travis Buchanan, his wife Candace, also 35, and their children, aged 10 and 9. The school expressed that they would support one another in this difficult time, sharing love and prayers with the affected families while encouraging a remembrance of the Buchanans.
A spokesperson from the North Carolina Highway Patrol confirmed that all four individuals on board lost their lives. Eyewitnesses saw the family travel back from their vacation when the incident occurred.
According to a post from the family’s business, Buchanan Farm, they had just returned from Merritt Island, Florida, where they left around 11 AM. Their flight was last tracked near Sanford around 1:30 PM. Local establishments shared their grief, noting that the Buchanans were more than customers; they were cherished friends.
Photographers, like Nikki Runyan, recalled working closely with the family, emphasizing their generosity and involvement in community events. Runyan conveyed how devastating the loss is, stating their contributions to her photography business and the projects they supported.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the crash, with reports suggesting that the process is still in its early stages, so detailed information is scarce at this moment.
