Updated 5:23 p.m.: Deadly small plane crash near Virginia North Carolina border

WSLS News Staff
Published: February 1, 2008

A small plane crashes in a neighborhood near the Virginia North Carolina border, killing everyone onboard.

North Carolina investigators say the plane was carrying people from Polk County, Georgia to Patrick County, Virginia for a hunting trip at Primland resort.  The plane crashed as it was trying to land at the Mount Airy, NC airport.

Officials have released the names of the six victims. Wesley Rakestraw is believed to have been the pilot. Steve Simpson was also in the cockpit and has a pilot’s license. The other four passengers were Hal Echols, Robert Butler, Tony Gunter, and Frank Ruggiero.  They say all six were prominent businessmen from Polk Co., GA.

Map of crash site.

Our NBC affiliate WXII was one of the first news crews on the scene.  They say the crash sight is off of Route 52, east of the Mount Airy Airport, in a neighborhood.

Investigators say the plane crashed into the front yard of a home.  No one from the neighborhood is hurt.

The plane is described as a twin engine, King Air C90A, and could carry up to six people.  Investigators say six people were onboard.

Investigators believe the weather may have played a factor in the crash.  Witnesses told investigators that the plane made an approach to the airport, and was about 100 feet off the ground before the crash.  Kelvin Boyette, the airport’s manager says the plane was attempting to land when it missed on its approach, and may have been trying to circle back for another attempt before it crashed.  “There was a really low fog, it was raining a little bit and an occasional sleet pellet. But visibility was more than a 2½ miles,” Boyette said.  “The hunting resort van was actually waiting for them, and (the driver) was the only person who saw the plane come out of the clouds, “ Boyette added.

The plane is registered to Blue Sky Airways in Dallas, Ga., according to FAA records. One of the men on board was identified by his cousin, Ronald Rakestraw, as John Rakestraw, a pilot who owned a construction company that had the same address listed on the plane’s registration.

Bert Brantley, a spokesman for Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue, said that Rakestraw held a fundraiser for Perdue at his home during the governor’s re-election campaign.

Also on board were Paulding County, Ga., Commissioner Hal Echols and developer Steve Simpson, said Jeff Ragsdale, a son of Paulding County Commissioner Larry Ragsdale.

Boyette said resort-bound hunters often fly though the airport, and the plane was the only in-bound flight expected at the airport Friday.  A woman who identified herself as a Primland resort manager but declined to give her name said the company had no comment.

Debris from the crash was largely confined to a small area between two homes.

The NTSB will not arrive until Saturday to help with the investigation.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report)