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Plane crash near Payson leaves two dead

By
FOX 10 Phoenix
Gila County
Published August 11, 2026 6:57 PM MST
Published August 11, 2026 6:57 PM MST
article

Authorities confirmed two victims died when a plane went down in the Mazatzal Wilderness.

The Brief

    • Two Payson residents, 75-year-old Brad Lawrence and 19-year-old Carter Buckner, were killed in a plane crash on Aug. 10.
    • The crash occurred around 6 p.m. in the rugged, remote terrain of the Mazatzal Wilderness in Gila County west of Payson.
    • The cause of the crash and the type of aircraft involved remain unknown as the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration investigate.

GILA COUNTY, Ariz. - Two people were killed when their plane crashed into a remote part of Gila County west of Payson on Monday night.

What we know:

The Aug. 10 crash happened around 6 p.m. in the Mazatzal Wilderness, the sheriff's office said, describing it as a remote area with rugged terrain. 

Two Payson residents were on board: Brad Lawrence, 75, and Carter Buckner, 19.

What they're saying:

"Sheriff J. Adam Shepherd would like to thank the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office and Pinal County Sheriff's Office for their coordinated assistance. Sheriff Shepherd extends our deepest condolences to everyone impacted by this tragedy and asks our community to keep their families and friends in their thoughts and prayers. During a time like this, we are reminded of the strength of our community and the importance of supporting one another," the sheriff's office said in a news release.

What we don't know:

We do not know the cause of the crash. The type of plane wasn't detailed.

What's next:

The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating.

Map of the area where the plane crashed

The Source

  • Information in this story was provided by the Gila County Sheriff's Office.

Gila CountyNews