Heartbreak in the Skies: North Carolina Plane Crash Claims Beloved Family of Four
So Close to Home, Yet Tragedy Struck
A joyful family trip ended in unimaginable sorrow when a small plane carrying a North Carolina family of four crashed just a mile from their destination on July 7, 2025. Travis and Candace Buchanan, both 35, along with their two young children, lost their lives when their Cirrus SR22T went down in a field near Raleigh Executive Jetport in Lee County.
The Buchanans were returning to their hometown of Sanford after a beach getaway in Florida, a routine trip that ended in a devastating moment of silence.
Final Moments and Ongoing Investigation
Aviation investigator Ryan Enders confirmed the aircraft had taken off from Merritt Island, Florida. In the final moments, the pilot radioed the local airport’s fixed-base operator, reporting critical failures in the engine, navigation, and communications systems.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched a full investigation. The wreckage will be transported to Tennessee for further analysis, and officials will review the pilot’s credentials and actions in the 72 hours leading up to the crash.
A Community in Mourning
The Buchanans were pillars of the Sanford community, known for their warm spirit and commitment to service through their family business, Buchanan Farms. Their produce stand, seasonal events, and generosity made them a cherished presence in town.
Heartfelt tributes poured in across social media:
“So blessed for the daily hugs from sweet Aubrey, and the honor to teach Walker,” wrote Grace Christian Sanford teacher Kirstin Schwader.
“What a privilege it was to know this wonderful family,” said Tammy Strickland.
Kindergarten teacher Maci Bullard shared, “My heart is broken over this tragic loss.”
Longtime farm employee Abraham Garcia remembered Travis as “the kind of man who’d give you the shirt off his back,” while local business owner Michael Yarborough described his friend as “a man of quiet kindness and unwavering integrity.”
“They weren’t just growing food — they were growing community,” said Andrea Adame of Los Charros Mexican Restaurant.
Photographer Nickie Runyan added, “Their events weren’t just about fun — they were about connection. That was their true gift.”
The family had been preparing for a charity event scheduled for the upcoming weekend — a testament to their spirit of giving, now carried forward by those mourning their loss.
Another Aviation Tragedy Days Earlier in Ohio
Just eight days before the Buchanan crash, another devastating accident occurred in Trumbull County, Ohio. On June 29, 2025, a twin-engine Cessna 441 crashed into a wooded area shortly after takeoff from Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport. All six aboard were killed.
The victims were:
- James Weller Jr. (67)
- Veronica Weller (68)
- John Weller (36)
- Maria Weller (34)
- Pilot Joseph Maxin (63)
- Co-pilot Timothy Blake (55)
The aircraft reportedly veered sharply left before crashing in Howland Township at approximately 6:53 a.m.
A Legacy Remembered
James Weller Jr. was the president and CEO of Liberty Steel Industries, a business founded by his father. He and his family were also deeply involved in local racing at Sharon Speedway, where he earned two championships and 36 victories in the Big-Block Modified division.
Survivors include former NASCAR driver Jimmy Weller III and his mother, Ronnie Weller.
Pilot Joseph Maxin, a seasoned flight instructor and former Mahoning County prosecutor, was remembered for his dedication and gentle nature. “Joe was not only a skilled aviator but a compassionate public servant,” said Prosecutor Lynn Maro.
The NTSB is also investigating this crash, seeking answers for two communities now united by grief.
Two tragic losses. Two families forever changed. And two communities left to remember, honor, and hold tight to the legacies left behind.