Two N. Virginia men die after plane crash, authorities say
Two Northern Virginia men were found dead in the wreckage of a twin-engine private plane that crashed and burned in the central part of the state, according to authorities.
The two were identified by the state police as John W. Latham, 63, of Haymarket, the pilot, and Niiben C.A. Ayivorh, 73, of Burke, a passenger.
The crash occurred Sunday near Palmyra, Va., while the private plane was flying to South Carolina from Manassas Regional Airport, state police said.
Residents of Palmyra called 911 in Fluvanna County to report a low-flying plane and what sounded like an explosion, police said.
Searchers found the burning wreckage in dense woods, police said. The site is about 20 miles southeast of Charlottesville and about 60 miles northwest of Richmond.
The airplane, which was headed to Georgetown County Airport, was described by officials as a 1975 Rockwell Aero Commander 690A.
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The National Transportation Safety Board said an engine, propeller and other airframe parts “separated from” the plane as it flew south near a road in Fluvanna County.
It was not clear why the parts broke off the plane or whether it struck anything before crashing.
Some parts have been found in an area that stretches for nearly three miles, the NTSB said.
Both the NTSB and the Federal Aviation Administration said they are investigating.
Online references indicate that the high-wing twin turboprop plane is about 40 feet long and has a cruising range of more than 1,400 miles.
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