Cessna crash claims life of Jacksonville man

Troopers and first responders were called to the scene of an airplane crash at approximately 3 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 20.

A Cessna 150, piloted by Keith Michael McElvain, 76, of Jacksonville had gone down in a field approximately seven miles north of New Summerfield off CR 4303.

Preliminary reports indicate McElvain took off from Cherokee County Airport around 12:05 p.m. Monday and officials state it appears the aircraft struck the guide wires for a television tower east of Jacksonville in the Ponta area and crashed.

McElvain was the only occupant of the aircraft and was pronounced at the scene by Precinct 1 Justice of the Peace Brenda Dominy. McElvain was taken to Autry Funeral Home in Jacksonville.

The accident remains under investigation and officials from the National Transportation Safety Board were scheduled to arrive on Tuesday, Jan. 21. NTSB is an independent U.S. government investigative agency responsible for civil transportation accident investigation.