Family of four killed in Lee County plane crash, North Carolina State Highway Patrol says

A family of four died Monday afternoon in a Lee County plane crash.

The North Carolina State Highway Patrol identified the people on the plane as Travis Buchanan, 35, Candace Buchanan, 35, Aubrey Buchanan, 10, and Walker Buchanan, 9.

The State Highway Patrol said three people died at the scene. Authorities took the fourth to an area hospital, where medical personnel declared the person dead.

The plane, a Cirrus SR22, went down in a field off Lower Moncure Road north of Sanford. Four people were on board, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

Sky 5 flew over the scene around 2:30 p.m. Monday, when the plane appeared to be destroyed. The crash site was well off the road, causing difficulties for first responders.

It's not known where the plane took off from or where it was headed. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating what caused the crash.

People who knew the Buchanan family told WRAL News they were the owners of Buchanan Farms in Sanford.

Abraham Garcia said he worked for Travis Buchanan for more than eight years at Buchanan Farms, even living on the property.

"He helped me all the time," Garcia said of Travis Buchanan.

Garcia said the Buchanan family was heading back from the beach.

On Monday, Grace Christian School in Sanford posted about the Buchanan family on Facebook.

"It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of one of our Crusader Families," the post reads in part.

Aubrey Buchanan was going into fifth grade and Walker Buchanan was going into fourth grade, according to the post.

"During this incredibly difficult time, we stand together in support of their family and one another," the post reads. "We extend our love, prayers and deepest condolences to their family, friends, classmates, teachers and staff."

The post states the school will have grief support services available for students and staff.

"We encourage anyone who needs help to reach out to the school office," the post reads.

Central North Carolina has had other plane crashes this year.

On June 20, two died in a plane crash in Harnett County.

On May 7, a small plane crashed just short of the runway at Raleigh Executive Jetport, and two people went to the hospital.

https://www.wral.com/news/local/plane-crash-lee-county-july-2025/

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5747744&forum_id=2#49083666)