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One Confirmed Dead In Small Plane Crash Near Albany

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UPDATE: 

The Athens Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol has identified the man killed in an airplane crash Saturday night. 

73-year-old Charles W. Wagner of Athens County was piloting the plane which crashed near Ohio University’s Gordon K Bush airport.

According to the highway patrol, the plane was a 1972 Bellanca Super Viking. 

The National Transportation Safety Board, (NTSB) is now investigating the crash as well. 


The pilot of a single engine plane was killed in a crash short of the OU Airport near Albany Saturday night.

The Athens County 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Center received a 9-1-1 call at 6:35 PM reporting the downed plane near the intersection of US Route 50 and State Route 32 within sight of Ohio University’s Gordon K Bush airport. 

The Albany Area Volunteer Fire Department and Athens County Emergency Medical Services were dispatched to the scene. 

First responders found a small 4 person, single engine aircraft. 

The aircraft's single occupant who was the pilot was declared dead at the scene.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol was the on scene performing an aircraft crash investigation.

The name of the pilot was not released as officials attempted to notify the pilot’s family. 

The Federal Aviation Administration, (FAA) has been notified and a FAA crash investigation go team was sent to the scene.

According to information from the National Transportation Safety Board the last fatality at the airport was in 1979 when two planes collided in flight.

Both pilots were killed in that incident.


Emergency crews are on the scene of a small plane crash near the intersection of US Route 50 and State Route 32 near Albany.

WOUB's Allen Henry reports emergency crews from Athens, Albany, Ohio University and the State Highway Patrol are on the scene.

According to Albany Area Fire Department Fire Chief Warren Keirns, one person died at the scene.

WOUB has a crew on the scene and will bring you the latest as it becomes available.