A Pickens County high school student and a Liberty man were killed in a plane crash in Arizona, according to various sources.
"We are stunned and saddened to learn of the death of Dakota Jacks, a rising 10th-grader at Pickens High School," said John Eby, spokesman for the Pickens County school district.
Officials searching for a missing plane on Sunday discovered two bodies found with aircraft wreckage in Peach Canyon, east of Page, on the Navajo Nation, according to The Arizona Republic newspaper.
"We extend our deepest sympathies to Dakota's family, friends and teachers," Eby said. "He was an Honors student, a Pickens High School JROTC cadet, and a part of the school's Bluegrass music group. Dakota was an outstanding member of the Blue Flame family, and he will be greatly missed."
The family of Charles Michael Trotter of Liberty confirmed Monday that he was killed in the crash.
The family issued a statement saying: "Charles Michael Trotter, 47 years old, died doing what he loves — flying his plane. Devoted husband, loved his wife, loved flying, and loved Jesus. Now he is at home with his Lord and Savior. May he rest in peace."
The Coconino County Sheriff's Office was notified of a missing aircraft around 7:30 a.m. Sunday after the aircraft took off from Page traveling to South Carolina carrying a man and juvenile believed to be unrelated, Sgt. Aaron Dick told The Republic.
Page is about 83 miles north of Flagstaff, Ariz.
After hearing of the missing 1961 Mooney M20B aircraft, the Civil Air Patrols of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Utah began searching for the aircraft, Dick told The Republic.
Around 1:30 p.m. Sunday, the Sheriff's Office was alerted of a possible aircraft wreckage sighting in Peach Canyon, according to The Republic.
An Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter carrying a sheriff's office deputy located the crash site around 5 p.m. and recovered two bodies, Dick said.
"Based on the description of the aircraft, (the wreckage) is believed to be the one missing," Dick told The Republic.
The bodies were taken to Flagstaff Sunday evening for autopsy and identification, according to Dick.
The National Transportation Safety Board was scheduled to begin its investigation into the cause of the crash on Monday morning, according to The Republic.
