A pilot killed when his small plane went down during takeoff at Waycross-Ware County Airport on Friday has been identified by his wife as Tim Scheuing, who ran a local flight training business and was expecting the birth of his second daughter in three weeks. Amanda Scheuing, his wife, confirmed the identification and shared memories of her husband in the days following the crash.
Amanda Scheuing told WALB that her husband was a pilot, flight instructor and owner of Runway One Nine Aviation. She described him as a devoted father, husband and Christian, and said he was “the best person she had ever known” and an even better husband and father to their children. “He was loved by everyone and touched so many lives,” she said.
The couple met while working together when Amanda was 16 and began dating shortly after, according to the same account. They celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary this year and have a 16-year-old daughter, with another daughter due in three weeks. Amanda also described Tim as funny, quick-witted, adventurous and helpful.
Conflicting Reports on Aircraft Model
Accounts of the crash differ on the exact aircraft involved. The station that first identified Tim Scheuing reported that a Beechcraft BE35 crashed during takeoff around 11:15 a.m. Friday, an account echoed in a statement from the Federal Aviation Administration, which said only the pilot was aboard at the time. WJCL, however, reported that a Beech H35 airplane crashed shortly after departure that same day, and News4JAX likewise reported that the National Transportation Safety Board announced Friday it was investigating the crash of a Beech H35 near Waycross. The discrepancy in the aircraft’s model designation has not been resolved across the available reporting.
Federal Investigators Lead Crash Probe
The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into the cause of the crash, with the FAA also investigating, per WALB's report. News4JAX noted that no additional details about the crash had been released at the time of its report.
WJCL reported that the NTSB’s review includes flight data, aircraft maintenance records, weather conditions and witness statements. The aircraft will later be recovered to a secure facility for further evaluation, and a preliminary report is expected within 30 days, the station said.
Community Mourns a ‘Devoted’ Father
Amanda Scheuing thanked the emergency crews, first responders and airport staff who responded to the crash, as well as the couple’s family, friends and church family, according to the WALB account. She also thanked the community for its outpouring of love in the wake of her husband's death.
