Spotsylvania County, VA – Virginia State Police are investigating a fatal plane crash that claimed the life of a Virginia pilot Tuesday morning near Shannon Airport in Spotsylvania County.
According to Virginia State Police, the crash occurred at approximately 11:05 a.m. Tuesday, July 14, 2026, near Shannon Airport in Spotsylvania County.
Authorities said the aircraft involved was a single-engine airplane with one person on board at the time of the crash.
State police identified the pilot as Rowland A. Babcock Jr., 78, of Ruther Glen, Virginia. He died from injuries sustained in the crash, according to investigators.
No additional details about what may have caused the aircraft to go down were immediately released.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have been notified and are expected to assist with the investigation into the cause of the crash.
Fatal aircraft accidents are typically investigated by the NTSB, with assistance from the FAA and local authorities. Investigators will examine the wreckage, weather conditions, aircraft maintenance records, and other factors to determine what led to the crash.
Authorities have not announced when additional information may become available.
The investigation remains ongoing.
