On Monday, July 7, 2025, a small private airplane carrying a family of four crashed in a field near Raleigh Executive Jetport, located just northeast of Sanford in Lee County, North Carolina.
The victims were identified as Travis Buchanan (35), his wife Candace Buchanan (35), and their children Aubrey (10) and Walker (9) apnews.com+9apnews.com+9nypost.com+9. The Buchanans were returning from a beach trip in Merritt Island, Florida, departing around 11 a.m., and were nearing their destination when the accident occurred shortly after 1:30 p.m. apnews.com+3apnews.com+3people.com+3.
The aircraft—a Cirrus SR22T single‑engine plane registered to Travis Buchanan—crashed into a lightly wooded field just off Lower Moncure Road, between Wallace Creek Lane and Riddle Road people.com+7wral.com+7abc11.com+7. Three family members died instantly at the scene. The fourth was transported to UNC Hospital but later succumbed to injuries wral.com+6apnews.com+6wsoctv.com+6.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has dispatched investigators to the crash site. They plan to recover the wreckage for detailed examination. A preliminary report is expected within 30 days, while a comprehensive investigation may take 12 to 24 months apnews.com+2people.com+2people.com+2.
Travis Buchanan was owner and operator of Buchanan Farms, located near Sanford. One of his employees, Abraham Garcia, remarked on Travis’s generosity, stating that “he helped me all the time” abc11.com+7apnews.com+7wral.com+7. The Buchanans were considered pillars of the local community, hosting events and selling farm produce throughout the region.
Their children attended Grace Christian School in Sanford. Social media tributes from the school expressed profound sorrow, announcing that Aubrey was entering fifth grade and Walker was entering fourth grade. The school offered grief support services and called for compassion from the community during this painful time apnews.com+9apnews.com+9wral.com+9.
Local emergency services and the North Carolina Highway Patrol responded immediately after receiving reports of the crash around 2 p.m. While exact cause remains unknown, federal agencies—NTSB and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)—have launched investigations apnews.com+7abc11.com+7nypost.com+7.
Preliminary flight‑tracking data indicates the plane’s departure and crash times align with the family’s travel schedule. Details such as clear weather or mechanical malfunction have not been confirmed at this stage .
This incident marks another fatal small‑plane crash in central North Carolina in recent months, underscoring ongoing concerns about general aviation safety in the region wbtv.com+1abcnews.go.com+1.
As investigators gather evidence—from onboard instruments, pilot history, and maintenance records—the community of Sanford continues to mourn. The dual loss of parents and children has shocked neighbors, school families, and farm staff. Memorial plans and tributes are expected in the days ahead.
