A husband and wife were killed when their small plane crashed in Georgia soon after communications went silent after takeoff, officials said.
James Hardee, 62, and Janet Hardee, a 59-year-old teacher, died when their single-engine Rockwell Commander went down around 11:40 pm on Saturday near Covington Municipal Airport, about 40 miles from downtown Atlanta.
The plane took off just after 11 p.m. when it immediately lost contact with air traffic controllers, the Covington Police Department said. The Hardees were the only people on board, cops said.
“There was no further communication from the aircraft after takeoff. Officers located the aircraft in the woods just north of the runway. Two individuals were located with the aircraft and were pronounced deceased at the scene,” police said in a statement.
The husband and wife were later identified by the Newton County Coroner, according to 11 Alive.
Janet Hardee was a first-grade teacher at the Putnam County Primary School, according to the school district.
“The Putnam County Charter School System community is mourning the loss of a primary school teacher, Mrs. Janet Hardee, and her husband due to a tragic accident that occurred over the holiday weekend,” the district said.
“There are no words that can ease the sorrow and sadness we feel right now. Our thoughts and prayers are with their family.”
The National Transit Safety Board is leading the investigation, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
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