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Maryland Man Among Five Killed In Small Plane Crash Near North Carolina Airport

A Maryland man has been identified by officials as one of the victims killed in a weekend crash when a single-engine plane went down in the woods near Wright Brothers National Memorial’s First Flight Airport in North Carolina.

The plane landed near First Flight Airport in North Carolina.

The plane landed near First Flight Airport in North Carolina.

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Ke7dlt

Silver Spring resident Shashwat Ajit Adhikari was one of five who were killed in a crash involving a Cirrus SR-22 airplane that remains under investigation days later by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

The crash was reported at around 5 p.m. at around 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28.

Others killed in the crash: 

  • Jason Ray Campbell, 43, Southern Pines, North Carolina; 
  • Kate McAllister Neely, 39, of Southern Pines, North Carolina;
  • Matthew Arthur Fassnacht, 44, of Marietta, Georgia;
  • A 6-year-old child.

“National Park Service employees at Wright Brothers National Memorial, Cape Hatteras National Seashore and Fort Raleigh National Historic Site (Outer Banks Group) extend their deepest condolences to the families, friends and loved ones affected by this tragedy,” David Hallac, superintendent, Outer Banks Group said in a statement..

The initial investigation found that the plane was attempting to land at the airport, and after crashing, a fire broke out, causing it to burn and prompting a massive emergency response from local agencies.

"Our Dare County, North Carolina, Kill Devil Hills and Kitty Hawk partners provided incredible support to the National Park Service during this tragic event, Hallac added.

"Their efforts to quickly extinguish the fire associated with the crash prevented further impacts to the surrounding environment and community." 

Following the crash, the airport was closed for two days while the incident was investigated.

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