Small plane crashes near Paulding County airport, leaving flight student and instructor injured

Federal investigators are now working to determine why a small plane carrying a flight student and instructor crashed into trees near a Paulding County airport Thursday night.

The National Transportation Safety Board said it has opened an investigation into the crash of the Piper PA-28 about 2 miles east of Paulding Northwest Atlanta Airport in Dallas.

Investigators will examine three main areas: the pilots, the aircraft and the conditions surrounding the flight. The agency plans to collect flight tracking data, air traffic control recordings, aircraft maintenance records and information about the pilots' licenses, qualifications and recent flying experience.

An 18-year-old flight student and his 22-year-old instructor were aboard the single-engine plane when it went down shortly before 8:06 p.m. in a wooded area off Hulseytown Road, according to the Paulding County Sheriff's Office.

Someone aboard the plane called 911 from the wreckage and gave dispatchers a general location, helping deputies and firefighters find the aircraft about a quarter-mile into the woods. Both men were conscious and speaking when rescuers reached them.

Emergency crews removed the men from the plane and took them to area hospitals in critical condition. Officials say they have become stable. Authorities have not released their names.

"We are extremely thankful that both men are expected to recover. We are also grateful for the immediate response and quick action of all our first responders," the Paulding County Sheriff's Office wrote on Facebook.

The cause of the crash remains unknown.

The NTSB is asking witnesses and anyone with surveillance video or other information about the crash to email witness@ntsb.gov.

A preliminary report is expected within 30 days.