Augusta, GA
NTSB releases initial report on Augusta plane crash a week ago
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The National Transportation Safety Board has released its initial report of a plane crash that killed a pilot near Daniel Field a week ago.
The report reaches no conclusion about the cause of the crash that killed Jason McKenzie – and isn’t meant to.
The first report is just a statement of facts, while the report on possible causes of the crash won’t come for a year to two years.
This new report doesn’t tell us much more than we already knew about the incident at Hillcrest Avenue at Belmount Drive.
It says the single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza A36 departed Runway 5 at Daniel Field at 7:12 a.m. last Thursday, proceeded on the runway heading for about half a nautical mile, where a left turn was initiated.
The airplane continued in the left turn, at about 200 to 300 feet above the ground, for about 30 seconds and crashed into the top of mature oak trees in a residential area, severing the outboard half of the left wing.
The wing section remained lodged in a tree, about 60 feet above the ground.
The airplane continued and impacted the front yard of a residence, coming to rest upright.
There, it burst into flame at about 7:13 a.m.
READ THE REPORT:
Many are calling McKenzie a hero for avoiding deaths and injuries on the ground, even though he died in the crash.
Investigators took pieces of the airplane to a hangar elsewhere in Georgia, where they’ll put it back together and try to determine what happened.
In addition to physical evidence, investigators will be looking at flights the plane made in the 72 hours before the crash that may indicate whether anything has gone wrong.
We looked at the flight records, which show the plane had made several trips in the days before the crash, including:
- To Greensboro, N.C., on April 24 and back to Daniel Field on Saturday.
- To Southern Pines, N.C., and back on April 23.
- To Sevierville, Tenn., and back on April 20.
- To Thomson and back on April 18.
We know the Beechcraft Bonanza A36 was manufactured in 1999 and owned by WBME, a limited-liability corporation based in Warrenville, according to government records.
The plane had four cabin windows on each side, starboard rear double doors and seats for six. Two of those seats were in the cockpit and four were in the cabin – configured as two rows of two seats each, with the rows facing each other, according to photos of the plane posted online. It had a small cargo area in the rear.
Its certificate was valid until 2030.
Equipped with a three-blade propeller and a 300-horsepower engine, the model was introduced in 1968 and is still being made by the Beechcraft division of Textron – a company that has a plant in Augusta.
WBME was created in October 2023 and the plane was registered to it the next month. The previous owner was in California, so this was a new plane for the owner, though it was made 25 years ago.
The plane’s first flight under WBME ownership was in February of this year.
Beyond witness statements and video, the NTSB will scrutinize:
- Recordings of any air traffic control communications.
- Aircraft maintenance records.
- Weather forecasts and actual weather and lighting conditions around the time of the accident.
- A 72-hour background of the pilot.
- Electronic devices.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The city of Augusta announced a temporary closure of New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam Park.
Closure of the park at 2105 Lock and Dam Road will allow the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to repair the lock and dam structure.
The park will be closed from March 4 to April 7.
All areas of the park will be closed.
However, the Baurle Boat Ramp will remain open and accessible to the public for fishing and boating activities.
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The Augusta 911 center has been named 2025 Communications Center of the Year at the Georgia Emergency Communications Conference in Athens.
The award recognizes excellence in public safety communications, innovation, leadership and service.
The award recognizes a center that demonstrates strong performance in emergency response coordination, training, technology and community engagement.
The Augusta center was selected among agencies statewide for its consistent service, professional standards and coordination with public safety partners.
“This recognition reflects the work our team does every single day,” said Daniel R. Dunlap, 911 director. “Our communications officers are the first point of contact during some of the most difficult moments in a person’s life. They provide reassurance, direction and critical coordination until help arrives. I am incredibly proud of the dedication and strength they show.”
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A new gourmet popcorn shop has opened on Broad Street, bringing a Chicago-style twist to downtown Augusta.
Popn’ Off Gourmet Popcorn and Nuts, located at 716 Broad Street next to the Miller Theater, opened late last year. Owner Sheila Jones moved to Augusta from Chicago, where she said gourmet popcorn has a strong following.
“I’m from Chicago where gourmet popcorn is kind of a big deal,” Jones said.
Specialty flavors made in house
The shop offers specialty flavors including caramel, strawberry drizzle, peppermint, Oreo, green apple, and peanut butter — all made in house. Jones said the experience starts before customers even reach the counter.
“The smell is part of the experience. Green apple, strawberry, strawberry drizzle with chocolate. We have a new peanut butter flavor I just did,” Jones said.
A business built for family
Jones said her move to Augusta and her decision to open the business were driven by her son, who is on the autism spectrum. She said she believed he would be more comfortable in Augusta and wanted to build something that would benefit him long-term.
“I wanted him to have something when he gets older. He has a job already if he wants one. He already has a business,” Jones said.
Jones said starting the business has been harder than she expected. She handles most operations herself, with some help from family. She said the purpose behind the shop keeps her motivated.
“Coming into this every day is fulfilling because I built it. I’m building it and I just wanna see how high we’ll go,” Jones said.
Popn’ Off Gourmet Popcorn and Nuts is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. The shop is also holding a pop-up Saturday at noon on Gordon Highway.
Here’s a link to their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584084467886#
Copyright 2026 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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