OSHP: Victim identified in fatal plane crash

UPDATE 6/11/26 @ 2:47 p.m.

SCIOTO COUNTY, Ohio. (WSAZ) - The Ohio State Highway Patrol has released new information about a fatal plane crash that occurred in Scioto County on Thursday morning.

At approximately 10:46 a.m., deputies from the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office and troops from the Portsmouth Post of OSHP responded to the crash.

OSHP says the crash occurred at a residence on the south side of Bennett School House Road near the Greater Portsmouth Regional Airport in Harrison Township.

A preliminary investigation found a 2006 Cirrus SR-20 single-engine plane piloted by Kurt W. Paulus, 76, of Delaware, Ohio, had just departed from the airport, OSHP says.

The plane was in its initial climb, gaining elevation from the runaway, and then crashed into a residence on Bennett School House Road, according to OSHP.

OSHP says the intended destination was Delaware, Ohio.

Paulus died in the crash, according to OSHP.

They say two people were inside the home at the time of the crash and were not injured.

OSHP said the residence caught fire after the crash and was destroyed.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) were notified and will be conducting their own separate investigations of the crash, OSHP says.

OSHP was assisted at the scene by the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office, the Minford Fire Department and EMS, Columbus Division of Police, Scioto County Emergency Management Agency, FAA, NTSB, and The Salvation Army.

The crash is still under investigation.

UPDATE 6/11/26 @ 12:51 p.m.

SCIOTO COUNTY, Ohio. (WSAZ) - Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman has provided new information about a fatal plane crash that occurred in Scioto County Thursday morning.

Sheriff Thoroughman said the crash was reported right after 10:30 a.m. Thursday.

The fatality reported is confirmed to be the pilot on the plane, he said.

Our WSAZ crew is working to get more information.

Keep checking WSAZ for the latest.

UPDATE 6/11/26 @ 12:41 p.m.

SCIOTO COUNTY, Ohio. (WSAZ) - The Federal Aviation Association (FAA) has provided new information regarding a fatal plane crash in Scioto County.

The FAA says a Cirrus SR-20 crashed into a house in Wheelersburg, Ohio, after taking off from the Greater Portsmouth Regional Airport.

Only the pilot was on board the plane, according to the FAA.

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the crash.

The NTSB will lead the investigation.

The FAA says this information is preliminary and subject to change.

Keep checking WSAZ for the latest.

ORIGINAL STORY

SCIOTO COUNTY, Ohio. (WSAZ) - Emergency crews are at the scene of a reported plane crash in Scioto County.

The crash was reported off Bennett School House Road near the Greater Portsmouth Regional Airport in Minford, according to Larry Mullins, Scioto County Emergency Management Director.

He says a plane developed a problem during take off at the airport and crashed into a house, causing a large fire to start.

One person was on the plane, Mullins said.

People were inside the house hit by the plane at the time of the crash but were able to get out, he said.

Minford EMS says one fatality has been reported. It is unknown at this time if there have been any other injuries or fatalities.

He says several fire departments are on their way to the scene. The Ohio State Highway Patrol is also at the scene.

A WSAZ crew is on their way to the scene.

Keep checking WSAZ for the latest.