VIDEO: Recent Plane Crash in Monroe County Is Sending Shock Waves Through The Community

MONROE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)-Tuesday’s tragic plane crash that took the life of 73-year old Richard Justice, is still fresh on the minds of many Monroe County residents.

Justice and a passenger took off from the Monroe County Airport heading to Madison on a business trip.

The plane was flying through a low cloud deck just after take-off, but then shortly afterwards, it came crashing down into a wooded area not far from the airport.

The plane was in the air approximately one minute before it collided into multiple trees.

Justice’s untimely death has many residents still at a loss for words.

“It was unbelievable,” said Larry Gray, childhood friend of Justice.

Gray said he and Justice have been good friends for nearly 65 years now.

“I grew just shortly, probably a mile from where he grew up and played with his brothers,” Gray recalled. “I go to church with him. He was a Christian man, well respected in the community and in the aviation field.”

Gray said ever since they were teenagers, Justice has always had aspirations of becoming a pilot.

“He started his life out as a crop duster,” he recalled. “Moved up to twin engine planes flying for corporations, and was still doing that when he had the plane accident.

Gray owns a convenience store in Hatley, and said justice would often come by to buy a few candy bars and just visit and talk with him.

“He was a good man never heard anything bad on him, he will be greatly missed,” he said.

Gray is still having a hard time wrapping his mind around this tragic death.

Although he hates that he can no longer see his childhood friend again, he knows Justice in a much better place smiling down on him.

“I will miss him at church, he went to church with us,” he said. “His smiling face was there every Sunday. I really enjoyed being around him.”

Cleveland Moffett Funeral Home in Amory is handling the final arrangements.

The name of the second victim still isn’t being released at this time due to the family’s request.