Eric Stephens, 57, of Roswell, Georgia, lost his life after a small aircraft crashed into the woods near Gwinnett County Airport in Lawrenceville on Tuesday evening. The plane had reportedly developed engine trouble while in flight, and the pilot was trying to make an emergency landing when it went down. Another man aboard, Peter Magnuson, survived the crash with injuries reported as non-life-threatening.
The aircraft had been airborne for about 90 minutes after departing Briscoe Field, also known as Gwinnett County Airport. The flight appeared to be progressing until the pilot reported that the engine was running rough. With trouble developing, the pilot contacted air traffic control and requested an emergency landing.
The urgency of the situation was captured in recorded communications between the pilot and the control tower. An air traffic controller asked whether the pilot was declaring an emergency. “Yes, I’m declaring an emergency,” came the response. The pilot had already reported engine trouble, but the aircraft never made it safely back to the airport.
At approximately 5:30 p.m. on November 10, emergency crews responded to the area around Winder Highway and Bacchus Drive in Lawrenceville. The plane had crashed into a wooded area near the 1000 block of Old Athens Road, roughly one mile southeast of the airport. Authorities later identified the aircraft as a single-engine Velocity 173 F-G.
The impact left both men trapped inside the wreckage. Firefighters had to extricate them before they could receive medical attention. Stephens did not survive, while Magnuson was rescued and transported to a hospital. Officials have not disclosed which man was at the controls when the aircraft crashed.
While investigators work to understand what happened during the flight, Stephens’ death has also drawn attention to the life he built in Roswell. He founded zPaper, a technology company that he developed over more than two decades. The company remembered him as a mentor and friend, expressing sadness over his death while assuring customers that its operations would continue.
His life also revolved around his church and the relationships he built there. Stephens was a committed member of Roswell United Methodist Church, where he served as a mentor in the men’s ministry and participated in the choir. His involvement made him a familiar and valued member of the congregation.
The loss is especially painful for his wife, Cammie, and their two daughters. Roswell United Methodist Church offered prayers and support for the family following the tragedy. Those who knew Stephens through the church and his company are now left remembering a man who spent more than 20 years building a business while maintaining close connections with his community.
The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the crash. Their work will include determining what caused the reported engine malfunction and why the pilot was unable to complete the emergency landing. Neither agency has announced a final explanation for the crash.
The aircraft came down in a wooded area near Old Athens Road in Lawrenceville, Gwinnett County, about one mile southeast of Gwinnett County Airport. Until investigators complete their examination, the exact cause of the fatal accident remains unknown.