Randy Hunter, from Tyrone, GA., has been identified as the pilot killed in a Bryan-Effingham county small plane crash Tuesday morning.

Hunter was transporting two passengers who also died in the crash. Couple, William Byron Cocke and Catherine Cocke were also named as victims of the crash which occurred on Croft Road, off of Eldora Road.

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Air Traffic Control lost contact with the plane with the three aboard – the pilot and two passengers. A Chatham County Mosquito Control aircraft located the wreckage.

According to a WTOC aviation source in communication with the Federal Aviation Administration in Georgia, the plane was going from Savannah to Cobb County, GA when they radioed engine trouble. The plane turned around and was trying to get back to Savannah. The plane was a charter from Peachtree City, GA. source

The dense, wooded area made it difficult for crews to get to the wreckage. Georgia Forestry had to cut a path through the trees.

The FAA is taking over the investigation. Officials with the National Transportation Safety Board were on the scene Tuesday morning.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends at this difficult time.