Community Comes Together to Honor Buchanan Family After Tragic Plane Crash

Sanford, USA - On July 13, 2025, the Sanford community is coming together to mourn the tragic loss of the Buchanan family, who perished in a plane crash earlier this week. A memorial of flowers and candles has been set up at Buchanan Farms produce market, a beloved local establishment founded by Travis Buchanan, where he raised tobacco and other crops. The community is deeply shaken as they pay their respects to Travis (35), Candace (35), Aubrey (10), and Walker (9) Buchanan, all victims in this heart-wrenching incident.

Family and friends have gathered at the market, leaving heartfelt messages and letters to honor the Buchanans. One mourner, Nikki Haymans, alongside her daughter, expressed their sorrow while writing tributes to the family who was quite active in the Sanford Farmers‘ Market, once a lively hub where residents shared not just produce, but also smiles and stories.

Community Response

The community spirit shines brightly through the darkness of this tragedy. The Sanford Farmers‘ Market, where the Buchanans often participated, has also established a memorial to support the family. Community members have shared their disbelief, reminiscing about the positive impact the Buchanans had on local life. This fond remembrance highlights the strength of connections in small towns, where every loss is felt deeply.

On the fateful day of the crash, a small, single-engine Cirrus SR22 airplane experienced engine and communication issues, reporting trouble as it approached Raleigh Executive Jetport. Tragically, the plane went down about a mile from its destination, cutting short a family trip that had begun just hours earlier from Merritt Island, Florida, around 11:03 a.m. The National Transportation Safety Board is actively investigating the crash, with a preliminary report expected within three weeks and a detailed final report to follow in approximately 18 months.

Investigating the Tragedy

Details surrounding the crash are emerging as investigators analyze the wreckage and the plane’s recorders. Following the accident, the NTSB will conduct a thorough investigation into several factors, including the pilot’s history and potential issues relating to fatigue and weather conditions leading up to the incident. As the community grapples with loss, they also seek answers to understand what went wrong.

The incident is part of a broader context regarding aviation safety, as outlined in the NTSB’s statistics spanning from 2004 to 2023, which track civil aviation accidents. Among those statistics, the impact of general aviation accidents has been analyzed thoroughly in reports that emphasize the need for ongoing safety improvements in the aviation sector, including data on drug use trends among pilots prior to fatal accidents.

As the community plans a funeral service for the Buchanans on Monday, which will include a procession from Bridges-Cameron Funeral Home to Shallow Well Church on Broadway Road, the collective grief resonates. This tragic event has underscored the value of family, community, and the need for vigilance in safety protocols surrounding aviation.

In times of sorrow, the strength of a community shines through, reminding us of the importance of coming together in support of one another. The Buchanans may have left this world too soon, but their legacy will live on in the hearts they touched.

For more on the memorial and community support, click to read more on WRAL, or visit Spectrum Local News for detailed updates on the crash investigation from the NTSB.

Let us reflect, support one another, and honor the memory of the Buchanan family in the days to come.