Update: Community in mourning over loss of beloved member in plane crash

Update:

The pilot who was killed in Tuesday’s single-engine plane crash in Monroe has been identified as Cy Nunnally, a native son and much-beloved member of the community. Generous Warren Lodge No. 20, shared the news on it’s Facebook page and asked for prayers for the family. He also was currently the Worshipful at Master Fergus Lodge No. 135. Walton County Sheriff’s Office also asked for prayers for the family, noting, “Our hearts are broken for this family who are our friends and are huge supporters of public safety. Please keep this family in your every thought and your continued prayers.”

An emotional Monroe Police Chief R.V. Watts, who refrained from giving the name of the pilot, said it had shaken up the police department as he was close to the department.

“One of our officers is actually related to him, so you can imagine how it’s affecting us. The majority of the law enforcement community knows him.”

The Nunnally family is well known in the community and condolences and prayers began pouring in on social media as soon as the word got out.

The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) had been notified immediately and had investigators on the way. Watts said it appeared that the pilot was working on the plane for somebody else, and appeared to have taken off and was returning to land when the plane went down, crashing into a mound just before the runway.

Watts said Monroe emergency personnel were dispatched after someone called 911 and arrived on scene at about 5:41 p.m. Life-saving steps began immediately and a life-flight helicopter was called. However, at 6:09 p.m. when paramedics were unable to stabilize him at the scene, he was transported to Piedmont Walton with hopes he could be stabilized there before being flown to a trauma center. Sadly, he did not survive.

Update:

Monroe Police Chief R.V Watts confirmed that the pilot of the small aircraft did not survive his injuries. His name is not being released at this time until all next of kin has been notified. Watts said the FFA and NTSB has been notified and is on route to investigate. He said the single-engine plane did not belong to the pilot.

More details to follow:

Update: One person has been transported to Piedmont Walton in a critical condition following a single-engine airplane crash at Monroe Airport. There were no other passengers on board. The FAA has been called in and is on route to investigate.

Initial story

Monroe first responders were on the scene of a plane crash near Monroe Airport just before 6 p.m. on Tuesday, July 9, 2019. Monroe Police Fire and EMS are on the scene and the road has been closed off at Richard Parsons Dr. on Pannell Road.

Details to follow.