From KSP Post 10 and WRIL -
On Thursday, November 3, 2022, a short time before 10:00am Kentucky State Police began fielding calls about a loud noise heard in the vicinity of the Tucker-Guthrie Memorial Airport near Baxter, Kentucky.
A short time later, Kentucky State Police Post 10 was notified that a small plane had been located. KSP responded along with other officials within the county and have secured the scene until the National Transportation Safety Board arrives and begins their investigation.
WRIL has spoken to Harlan County Coroner Jim Rich who tells us that the pilot, the sole occupant, has been identified as 55-year-old Ophthalmologist Dr. David Sanford - of Knoxville, formerly of Middlesboro. At approximately 9:51am the FAA lost the plane from radar as it approached the airport.
KSP Detective Andy Soltess will be conducting the death investigation while the NTSB will be investigating the cause of the crash. Also assisting at the scene was Harlan Rescue Squad, Harlan Fire Dept, and Sunshine Fire Dept.
Our prayers are with the family of Dr. Sanford.
Dr Sanford was an Ophthalmologist not Optometrist. He will be missed by all who knew him. Such terrible and sad news.. .
He was such a wonderful person and he was my mom‘s doctor. He will sure be missed. Prayers for all of his family.
Heartbroken over the news that Dr. David Sanford passed in a airplane accident he was mine and my husband's eye Dr and was a great one at that, sending prayers up for his family, Co_ Workers and friends !