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Clay County man dies in Georgia plane crash

Property damage and signs that power lines in the area were malfunctioning were what ultimately led utility crews to the crash site.

A single-engine aircraft crashed in Paulding County, Georgia killing one man.

Paul Deep from Middleburg was the pilot and only victim of the crash.

Paulding County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Ashley Henson said the airplane was a single engine aircraft and that the crash itself happened near the Bartow County line.

“He was a darn good friend,” Richard Rowe said.

Deep was a longtime member of American Legion Post 250 in Middleburg.

“There’s not much that he didn’t know about me and not too much I didn’t know about him,” Rowe added.

Bartender Cody Welter was taught by Deep how to cook and serve right behind the counter at the Post. She even flew in his prized Piper PA-28A, even taking a picture with him during a flight. She tearfully recalled how meticulous Deep was as a pilot and his caring attitude around town.

Deep was a Vietnam veteran and served in the Navy for more than 20 years according to Rowe, who added he never met a stranger.

“No matter where I went, somebody would walk up and say hey Paul, I haven’t seen you in years,” Rowe said.

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) spokesperson Jim Peters, the crash was discovered around 6 p.m. Sunday - about one mile south of Cartersville and 20 minutes off the nearest major highway.

“Responders did have a difficult time getting to the actual site," Paulding County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Jamie Winkles said. "We were able to get the victim out. It’s real hilly, muddy - it’s rough terrain.”

Winkles said Greystone Power got a call around 3 p.m. about property damage - something going on with the power lines.

"Then, a subcontractor for Georgia Power discovered the plane crash and called Paulding County about 5:30," he said.

The aircraft, a Piper PA-28A had taken off from Gainesville Regional Airport in Florida. It was heading for Tom B. David Field in Calhoun, Georgia when it crashed according to the FAA.

Winkles did say that there was no sign of fire on the plane when crews found it.

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