Last Updated on August 14, 2019 9:22 am
Update 8:23pm – WataugaOnline.com has learned that the pilot, Danny Dunn, has passed away from his injuries. WataugaOnline.com has also learned that Dunn was a former owner of Wilkesboro Raceway Park.
Update 1:48pm – Below is a statement from Sheriff Len Hagaman about this mornings accident:
On Wednesday August 14 at 8:57am Watauga County Communications received a 911 call of a downed aircraft on the Hardin Road in Watauga County. Deep Gap Fire Dept., Watauga Medics, Watauga Rescue Squad, NC Highway Patrol, Watauga Emergency Management and Watauga County Sheriff's Office Responded.
According to witnesses, the aircraft had taken off from a private airstrip located at 3935 Hardin Road approximately 100 yards from the crash site about 20 minutes prior to the crash. Witnesses also report that the plane had circled several times then went down.
The plane caught fire upon impact and the pilot Mr. Danny Dunn age 67 of 3935 Hardin Road had crawled free of the wreckage and was located some distance away.
Mr. Dunn was airlifted to Baptist Hospital with life threatening injuries. The NC Highway Patrol is securing the scene will be turned over to the FAA upon their arrival.
Photos: Watauga County Sheriff's Office
Update 10:30am – the patient has been carried out and transported to a landing zone at Mt Pleasant School in Wilkes County for a fly out, according to scanner dispatches. Due to weather a landing zone in Watauga was not possible.
Multiple emergency agencies are on the scene of a reported plane crash in Deep Gap.
Just before 9am crews were dispatched to the area of 3986 Hardin Road, according to scanner dispatches at the time. The pilot was located with severe burns and currently operations are underway for a carry out in steep terrain.
Only one person was aboard, according to scanner dispatches.
The story is developing and WataugaOnline.com will update as more information becomes available.
