Two hospitalized after small plane crash near Ellijay

ELLIJAY, Ga. - Two people have been hospitalized after a small plane crashed after takeoff from the Gilmer County Airport.

Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen said a Piper Cherokee took off from the airport after 10:15 a.m. Wednesday.

Bergen said witnesses reported the plane's engine stopped and the plane crashed about 200 yards off the runway after the pilot tried to return back to the airport.

Bergen did not have identification of the people in the plane.

She said the plane is registered to Jesse S. Howard II of Springfield, Ohio.
A call to the Gilmer County Sheriff's Office was not immediately returned Wednesday.