Student pilot, instructor identified from Monday plane crash at Camp Barnhardt

Published 9:51 am Thursday, July 27, 2023

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Further information concerning the persons involved in the plane crash Monday at Camp Barnhardt has become available.

According to WSOC-TV, instructor Noah Simpson and student pilot Spencer Lakey were the two individuals aboard a Piper PA28 registered to Pressley Aviation, whose offices are at the Stanly County Airport.

Official information obtained by The Stanly News & Press from the National Transportation Safety Board’s website states the plane “experienced engine issues shortly after takeoff and crashed.”

The incident is listed as having “minor” injuries as the highest level of injury involved.

WSOC-TV posted an audio clip of Marti Lakey, Spencer’s mother, who said her son was “up walking around, smiling, talking,” which she said was “a miracle.”

The crash happened Monday at around 4:30 p.m. as the plane, according to a North Carolina State Trooper on scene, was attempting to circle back to Stanly County Airport just after takeoff.

About Charles Curcio

Charles Curcio has served as the sports editor of the Stanly News & Press for more than 16 years and has written numerous news and feature storeis as well. He was awarded the NCHSAA Tim Stevens Media Representative of the Year and named CNHI Sports Editor of the Year in 2014. He has also won an award from Boone Newspapers, and has won four North Carolina Press Association awards.

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