Two residents of Seguin were killed Thursday morning when their small airplane crashed in a wooded area near the Bogalusa Airport in Washington Parish, according to local media and law enforcement statements. The victims have been identified as 68-year-old William “Bill” Day and his 69-year-old wife, Tommie Day.
Crash details and emergency response
According to television reports, the Beech H35 aircraft came down at approximately 10:48 a.m. in a stretch of trees just off airport property. Firefighters responded and had to cut through a locked gate to reach the scene and extinguish a post-crash fire. Authorities say both occupants of the airplane were killed.
The Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office told reporters that small private aircraft frequently use the Bogalusa Airport to refuel, but officials have not released any determination about what caused Thursday’s accident. The local sheriff’s office and first responders secured the area while investigators worked.
Federal investigators take lead
The National Transportation Safety Board has assumed responsibility for the investigation. The agency typically examines aircraft wreckage, maintenance records, pilot qualifications and weather conditions to determine the sequence of events and probable cause. The NTSB also coordinates with the Federal Aviation Administration as needed.
No timeline has been announced for release of the investigative findings. NTSB probes can take weeks to months depending on the complexity of the wreckage and the need for specialized analysis.
Victims and local ties
William and Tommie Day were identified by local media as long-time residents of Seguin. Authorities have not released additional personal details, and family notifications were reported to have been completed prior to public identification. No public memorial information was available Thursday afternoon.
- Aircraft type: Beech H35
- Time of crash: about 10:48 a.m. Thursday
- Location: wooded area off Bogalusa Airport property, Washington Parish
- Casualties: two fatalities — the pilot and one passenger
| Victim | Age | Hometown |
|---|---|---|
| William “Bill” Day | 68 | Seguin |
| Tommie Day | 69 | Seguin |
Local airports often serve as refueling and stopover points for private aviators. The Bogalusa facility is used by recreational and business flyers in the region, the sheriff’s office noted.
What investigators typically examine
While investigators have not released specific preliminary findings, NTSB and FAA teams generally review several categories of evidence when examining general aviation accidents:
- Aircraft wreckage and engine condition
- Maintenance and inspection records
- Pilot certification, recent flight experience and medical status
- Weather reports and communications with air traffic services
Any survivors, witnesses or persons with knowledge of the aircraft’s recent operations may be interviewed as part of the fact-finding process.
Community reaction and next steps
Authorities have asked the public to avoid the crash area while investigators work. No hangar, airport infrastructure damage, or threat to the broader community has been reported. The NTSB will issue updates and, when complete, publish a final report that explains the probable cause and contributing factors.
Anyone with information about the flight or the crash is asked to contact the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office or the NTSB office handling the investigation. Further details, including the NTSB docket number and timing for follow-up briefings, will be released as they become available.
Local officials and federal investigators emphasized that at this stage there is no publicly available determination about why the aircraft went down. The families of the victims have not announced plans for services.
This is a developing story; WE NEWS will provide updates as official information is released by the NTSB and local authorities.
