x
Breaking News
More () »

Victims identified in deadly Clay County plane crash

The daughter of one of the victims tells First Coast News her father, Carl "CJ" Powell, was one of three people killed in Wednesday's Middleburg plane crash.

MIDDLEBURG, Fla. — Family members of one of the three people killed in a small plane crash in Clay County Wednesday have identified the victims to First Coast News.

Amanda Gordon said her father, Carl "CJ" Powell, died in the crash. He had 20 years of experience flying planes, she said.

Powell's friends, Jeff Thomas and another woman, were the other two victims in the crash, Gordon said.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the aircraft, single-engine Beechcraft Musketeer, crashed into a heavily wooded area shortly after taking off around 9 a.m. under unknown circumstances. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating.

Gordon said her father was an adventurous person who liked to run and go skydiving. He enjoyed spending time on his boat and flying his plane. Powell called the plane "Miss Anne," and his wife, Billie Powell, joked that it was his girlfriend.

CJ Powell's family said he built their brick house from scratch in a year.

Powell volunteered as an officer with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office as well as with the nonprofit animal rescue organization Pilots N Paws

Gordon shared several photos of her father along with his wife and three grandsons, as well as a photo of his plane, with First Coast News. Scroll down to view a gallery of the photos.

“He was really a nice neighbor," Charles Watson said. “Anytime I was out and about and he was out and about, he was friendly and always willing to converse with you.”

Charles Watson lives across the street from the Powell's.

“It’s nothing but sadness. I feel for the family. I hope he was right with God, and he’s alright, but the family’s going to miss him, and it’s going to be a sad time for a long time," Watson said.

RELATED: Deadly small plane crash investigation underway in Clay County

RELATED: NTSB releases report on 2019 Miami Air crash at NAS Jax

RELATED: Plane crash reported near Gainesville Ga. leaves three dead, forces residents out of home

Before You Leave, Check This Out