Couple killed in NC plane crash while returning home from visiting grandchildren, family confirms

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Monday, May 24, 2021
2 killed in NC plane crash while returning home from visiting family
"Given the faith my family holds, I think we have to look at it the second way that it was a divine purpose."

WINTERVILLE, N.C. (WTVD) -- A North Carolina couple was killed in a plane crash on Saturday night while flying back from a visit to their grandchildren, family members confirm.

Just before 6 p.m., the plane crashed at the South Oaks Aerodrome Airport on Prop Drive off of County Home Road in Winterville, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) told ABC-affiliate WCTI.

On Sunday morning, a Pitt County family-owned butcher shop, Stancill's Wild Game Meat Processing, confirmed the tragic news of the two involved -- Alan and Susan Stancill were killed in the crash.

Michael Emory, the son of the two victims, said he knew his parents were involved in the crash because of the security footage from the airport.

"Some security footage from the airport area captured it," Emory explained. "We're able to identify the plane as their plane, and the timing works out."

Emory told WCTI the crash happened near his parents' home. He said they've landed there hundreds of times.

"Given the faith my family holds, I think we have to look at it the second way that it was a divine purpose," Emory shared.

The crash remains under investigation by the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board.