Plane crashed in Lowndes County; search underway - WTVM.com-Columbus, GA News Weather & Sports

Body recovered from plane crash wreckage

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By Ryan Houston - bio | email
Pilot Rick Poppell of Jesup (Source: WTOC) Pilot Rick Poppell of Jesup (Source: WTOC)
Poppell was flying a plane similar to this one (Source: Wikipedia) Poppell was flying a plane similar to this one (Source: Wikipedia)
LOWNDES COUNTY, GA (WALB) -

Lowndes Co. Coroner Bill Watson confirms that a body has been recovered at the plane crash scene in Lowndes County.

State troopers had been searching the wooded area for pilot Rick Poppell, who reported trouble with his Diamond Aircraft DA40 last night after takeoff.

Authorities say terrain in the area is rugged, and crews were attempting to reach the site from the ground late Tuesday morning.

A detachment of Georgia State Troopers are in some Lowndes County woods searching for a light plane crash site.

A helicopter search squad arrived about 11:00AM, to help search the area.

Lowndes Co. Sheriff Chris Prine says that a plane crashed last night in the Lake Park area. The pilot, Rick Poppell of Jesup Ga. left the Valdosta Airport at 8:30AM and told FAA he was having problems.

Crews have been searching since Monday night.

WALB NEWS 10's Lydia Jennings is on the scene. Look for updates on this story at walb.com.

 

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