(Lawrenceville, Ga., November 24, 2015) – Gwinnett County Firefighters responded on Tuesday, November 24, 2015 at 3:20p.m., to a report of a plane crash behind a house in the 1600 block of Amhearst Mill Drive, NE in Lawrenceville.

Crews arrived to find a small-prop plane on the ground in the backyard of a private residence.  The home is situated in the neighborhood on Amhearst and backs up to Old Fountain Road.  The plane was on its side with the wings sheared off.  The aircraft sustained heavy damage.  There was no fire or smoke visible from the plane when the fire department arrived.  Firefighters checked for fuel hazards and assisted paramedics with providing patient care.  There was no fuel leak from the plane, which was reportedly carrying half a tank of fuel at the time of the crash.

The pilot and passenger were being assisted by bystanders when firefighters and police arrived.  The pilot and passenger, both males, were treated at the scene by paramedics and were transported by ambulance to Gwinnett Medical Center in Lawrenceville.  Their injuries appeared to be non-life threatening.

Firefighters advised that the plane grazed the roof of one house and displaced a few shingles, but did not cause any structural damage.  Occupants were home at the time and were not injured.  Part of the plane’s wing came to rest in the backyard of the residence.  “We are fortunate that there was no catastrophic damage or loss of life,” said Gwinnett Fire Captain Tommy Rutledge.  The pilot is credited with being able to keep the aircraft from crashing into homes and powerlines located in close proximity to the crash site.

The scene was turned over to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Investigators.  The FAA and NTSB were notified of the incident by the Gwinnett Airport Tower.  The FAA arrived at the scene just before dark. 

Additional media information will be released by the FAA and the Gwinnett County Police Department.  The Fire-PIO is unable to provide the identification or medical condition of the injured, based on federal patient privacy laws known as HIPAA.   See attached photos from the Gwinnett Fire-PIO. 

EQUIPMENT AT THE SCENE INCLUDED: 4-Engines, 1-Ladder Truck, 2-Medic Units, 1-Squad, 1-Hazmat Unit, 1-Air & Light Unit, 2-Battalion Chiefs, 1-Fire PIO