Authorities in Virginia have identified Simmie Adams, a local Army veteran, as the pilot and sole occupant of a fatal plane crash in Fauquier County over the weekend. The incident occurred when Adams, 62, was piloting a 1975 Beechcraft plane and was in the process of landing at the nearby Warrenton-Fauquier airport on Sunday afternoon. The aircraft collided with several trees, causing it to crash into a remote area. Tragically, Adams did not survive the crash.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has stated that the crashed aircraft was a single-engine Beech C23 plane. The plane was found at the intersection of Midland and Ebenezer Church Roads, about three-quarters of a mile southeast of the airport. Upon impact, the plane quickly caught fire and was engulfed in flames.
Photos from the scene show the white and green plane broken into separate pieces, with significant indentations and burn marks covering the middle and front sections of the tail. Crime scene investigation tape was wrapped around the wooded area where the plane landed, adjacent to an open field.
The Warrenton-Fauquier Airport is located in close proximity to Culpeper, Fredericksburg, Warrenton, and Manassas. The NTSB is currently investigating the cause of the crash and has not disclosed the origin of the plane or whether the airport was its intended destination.
Chad Casto, CEO of DarkStar Intelligence, spoke about Adams, stating that his death has deeply impacted their team. Adams had served in the Army for 21 years and later transitioned into the adult-learning realm and coaching to help people improve their personal and professional lives.
Fortunately, no one on the ground was injured as a result of the crash. The Virginia State Police confirmed that Adams was the only person onboard the plane.
As the investigation into the crash continues, the community mourns the loss of Simmie Adams, a dedicated Army veteran and beloved member of the local area.
