Location: Altha, Florida
Accident Number: ERA22FA218
Date and Time: May 3, 2022, 17:00 Local
Registration: N6413B
Aircraft: Cessna 172
Injuries: 2 Fatal, 2 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
On May 3, 2022, about 1700 central daylight time, a Cessna 172, N6413B, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Altha, Florida. The private pilot and one passenger were fatally injured, and two passengers were seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.
According to the airport manager, the flight departed from runway 36 at Calhoun County Airport (F95), Altha, Florida with full fuel tanks. The windsock indicated wind out of the west, about 10 knots. The pilot was in the left cockpit seat and was local to the area. The airplane owner was in the right cockpit seat; he did not hold a pilot certificate.
According to airport surveillance video and witness statements, the airplane lifted off and immediately attained a high angle of attack at slow speed. The airplane then proceeded past the departure end of runway 36, where a left 270° turn commenced at a low altitude, without climbing. The airplane proceeded eastbound and across the departure end of runway 36, then descended out of sight behind a
hangar, impacted the ground and a post-crash fire ensued. Witnesses immediately responded to the accident site to assist.
The wreckage came to rest near the airport’s perimeter fence. A post-accident fire consumed the fuselage, empennage, and left wing. Flight control continuity was confirmed from the flight control surfaces to the cockpit controls. The engine remained attached to the firewall and the propeller remained attached to the engine. A portable electronic flight instrument system (EFIS) and a portable GPS were found separated and away from the fire zone. They were sent to the NTSB Vehicle Recorders Laboratory for possible download of data.
The wreckage was retained for further examination.
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: Cessna
Registration: N6413B
Model/Series: 172
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built:
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KMAI,108 ft msl
Observation Time: 16:53 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 21 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 31°C /16°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 9 knots / , 260°
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 30 inches Hg
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Altha, FL
Destination: Altha, FL
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Fatal
Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
Passenger Injuries: 1 Fatal, 2 Serious
Aircraft Fire: On-ground
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 Fatal, 2 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 30.49138,-85.11182 (est)
Aircraft crashed under unknown circumstances on takeoff.
Date: 03-MAY-22
Time: 22:00:00Z
Regis#: N6413B
Aircraft Make: CESSNA
Aircraft Model: 172
Event Type: ACCIDENT
Highest Injury: FATAL
Total Fatal:
Flight Crew: 1 fatal
Pax: 1 fatal and 2 serious injuries
Activity: PERSONAL
Flight Phase: TAKEOFF (TOF)
Operation: 91
Aircraft Missing: No
Damage: DESTROYED
City: BLOUNTSTOWN
State: FLORIDA
Those who may have information that might be relevant to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation may contact them by email witness@ntsb.gov, and any friends and family who want to contact investigators about the accident should email assistance@ntsb.gov. You can also call the NTSB Response Operations Center at 844-373-9922 or 202-314-6290.
Greyson McCroan
We are starting this fundraiser for my best friend Greyson McCroan. Greyson is from Blountstown, Florida, and just recently graduated from FAMU this Spring. On May 3rd, 2022 Greyson was in a 4 person plane crash that left him with burns on 30% of his body. 2 of the 4 people on the plane passed away including Greysons father, Randy McCroan and Steve Mears Jr.
Greyson is currently at Shands with his first surgery set for Friday, May 6th at 3:00 p.m. to remove the burned skin.
Please keep Devin Ferrell in your thoughts for a smooth recovery. It is a miracle that Greyson and Devin are still with us.
We love you Randy rest easy ❤️
My condolences to the Mears family
Rest In Peace Steve Mears Jr
The community is raising as much money as we can to help reduce the financial burden of medical expenses during this tragic time.
Anything is appreciated and definitely will help. Thank you
BLOUNTSTOWN, Florida (WMBB) — A fundraiser for one of the plane crash victims took place Tuesday night.
A few dozen community members met at a Train Depot in Blountstown to raise money for Devin Ferrell.
Farrell is a part of a local running club called “A Case of the Runs.”
Every Monday and Thursday the group meets but they said this Monday was extra special.
Nearly $1,100 was raised at this “Cash and dash.”
Blountstown Fire Chief Ben Hall is part of this running club and helped set this event up.
“We just got out here tonight, threw that money in the bucket, and took off for a great run,” Hall said. “Most of us ran four miles, some ran a little bit more, some ran a little bit less, you know, just keeping it at a good run. We’re thinking about Devin, we’re praying for him, and we’re hoping he recovers well.”
Hall said they are also thinking of and praying for the other plane crash survivor Greyson McCroan.
Hall said they’re working on putting a fundraiser together for Grayson and his family soon too.
ALTHA, Florida (WMBB) — Usually, ShandsCair crews respond to a situation after it’s been controlled.
But on Tuesday, May 3rd, they were some of the first to the scene of a fatal plane crash at Calhoun Liberty Airport.
“One of our pilots witnessed the crash,” Andy Donaldson, UF ShandsCair Chief Flight Nurse of the Western Division said. “He notified my medical crew. They of course gathered everything they could along with fire extinguishers because there was an active fire at the time.”
Donaldson said at that point, those fire extinguishers were the only means to put the flames out.
“Our pilot, Davey Shackelford, started passing the extinguishers over the fence to what I believe were some Department of Forestry contractors that were there,” Donaldson said.
Donaldson also said he doesn’t want to know what would have happened if his crew wouldn’t have been so close by and so brave.
Authorities release more information about fatal Calhoun Co. plane crash
“Everybody worked in concert and I believe if anyone piece would have been missed or just slightly out of whack a little bit, the people were not there that, you know, to include the Department of Forestry, quick response by EMS, and my guys, there would have been four fatalities we’d been mourning,” Donaldson said.
Two people were saved from the burning plane.
Donaldson said one of the victims is at Shands Hospital in Gainesville.
“I can’t release medical information, but I feel very confident that both will do very well so they did an excellent job.”
Donaldson said he feels lucky his crew was on the scene and he’s very grateful for all the first responders who helped save the lives of the two plane crash survivors.
CALHOUN COUNTY, Florida (WJHG/WECP) - In a small community, where everyone knows everyone, when one person grieves, many others grieve, too. That’s what is happening as news of the death of Randy McCroan, 56, and Steve Mears, 48, spreads across Calhoun County. The two men were killed in a plane crash Tuesday evening at the Calhoun County Airport.
“You feel that closeness and what not, with all the people in the county,” Sheriff Glenn Kimbrel said. “If you’re not related, you’re friends with them.”
Randy McCroan and Mears were two of four people in the personal plane when it crashed as it was taking off at the airport. The two other men on the plane, Greyson McCroan, 24, and Devin Ferrell, 28, are fighting for their lives. Now Calhoun County residents are coming together to honor and remember McCroan and Mears. McCroan was a Sheriff’s Lieutenant and a School Resource Deputy.
“Fun-loving, had your back, was just somebody you could count on, loved people, loved kids,” Superintendent of Schools Darryl Taylor said of McCroan.
“So yesterday was actually his last work day,” Kimbrel said. “When asked what are you going to do now that you’re retiring, [McCroan said] ‘I’m going to go and enjoy life.’”
Mears was a local business owner.
“He was so ready to do anything and everything for anyone,” Kimbrel said. “He never said no.”
“He’s been a tremendous asset to Altha School over the years,” Taylor said.
Both Mears and McCroan will be remembered for their dedication to local kids and Altha Public School, and a memorial has been set up outside the school to remember the duo.
Another memorial is set up at the Calhoun County Airport, where the flag is also flying at half-staff.
“I still think ultimately, people, we will all be thankful to have known them, and had the opportunity to work and be around them,” Taylor said.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the cause of the crash. We will continue to share those details as they become available.
CALHOUN COUNTY, Florida (WJHG/WECP) - Two people were killed and two more were injured in a plane crash in Calhoun County Tuesday evening.
Calhoun County Sheriff Glenn Kimbrel told NewsChannel 7 it was a Cessna 172 Skyhawk plane and it was taking off when it crashed.
Onboard the plane were William “Randy” McCroan, Steve Mears, Jr., Devin Ferrell, and Greyson McCroan. Sheriff Kimbrel says Randy McCroan and Mears were killed in the crash and Ferrell and Greyson McCroan were critically injured.
Randy McCroan was a deputy with the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office and a school resource officer. Tuesday was his last day as a SRO. Mears owned Affordable Towing, a local business.
Wednesday the FAA was investigating the crash site. Flowers were placed near the area by the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office. Also seen at the airport, a Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office vehicle and an Affordable Towing tow truck, in memory of the two men killed in the crash.
Calhoun County Sheriff's Office -
We, at the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Calhoun County community, are grieving the loss of two of our brothers.
Lt. Randy McCroan and Steve Mears, Jr. were killed in an airplane crash yesterday evening at the Calhoun County Airport. Two other individuals in the plane were severely injured in the crash.
Lt. Randy McCroan, age 56, began his career on November 1, 1991 with Sheriff Buddy Smith. In his 30+ years here at the Sheriff’s Office, he served under Sheriff David Tatum and Sheriff Glenn Kimbrel in the positions of deputy sheriff, helicopter pilot, and school resource officer, most of which was served at Altha Public School. He spent the last year as an SRO at Carr School. He was looking forward to retirement and served his last day as SRO on Tuesday, May 3. He was killed the same evening, doing what he loved – flying.
Steve Mears, Jr. was a veteran of the United States Army. He worked at the Calhoun Correctional Institution in 1994-1997 and then began his law enforcement career at the Blountstown Police Department, where he served until 2001. He has been on the CCSO, BPD, and Altha PD reserve. Steve most recently had been a local businessman – owner of Affordable Towing. Steve has been a friend to the Sheriff’s Office, Altha School, and anyone else who needed a helping hand.
We, at the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, will miss both Randy and Steve. Our hearts are heavy and our prayers are with their families and the speedy recovery of the two other young men, who are hospitalized today.
A memorial has been established at the airport in memory of Randy and Steve.
