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Times-Courier
By Glenn Harbison, News-Observer Publisher
An Ellijay man is dead as the result of an airplane crash Sunday morning, March 5, in Fannin County. The victim has been identified as Jeffrey Alfred Petersohn, 65, of 146 Novena Court, #9092.
Fannin County Coroner Becky Callihan said the Fannin County 911 Center received the report of a plane crash at 11:14 a.m.
The crash occurred at the Blue Ridge Skyport at 170 Bonanza Drive in the Sugar Creek area, according to a report filed by Deputy Sheriff Corporal Matthew Peardon.
The single engine plane had crashed into a tree about 30 feet up, according to Fannin County Fire Chief Larry Thomas.
Callihan said witnesses at the scene reported they heard the plane’s engine stop in flight. One said he heard two pops, an indication the engine had quit.
Petersohn was pronounced dead at the scene by Callihan.
Callihan expressed appreciation to John McClure who arrived with his bucket truck to help with the rescue effort. He worked with Ray Patterson from Fannin Salvage to remove the plane from the tree so the victim’s body could be removed.
Callihan said the victim will be sent to the state crime lab for an autopsy to be performed, but no foul play is suspected.
Thomas said the Federal Aviation Administration and Georgia Emergency Management Agency were contacted.
Federal investigators were on the scene Monday working to determine the exact cause of the crash.