On the afternoon of April 4, 2024, a tragic plane crash in Pushmataha County, southeastern Oklahoma, resulted in the loss of three lives. The victims, all residents of Antlers, Oklahoma, were onboard a 1977 Foutz-Davis DA-3 aircraft when the incident occurred. The event led to immediate local and national responses.
Following the crash, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol arrived swiftly at the scene, locating the crash site near the crossroads of N 4140 Road, about three miles west of Antlers. The incident happened around 4:30 p.m., under clear weather conditions, during what appeared to be a regular flight.
The three fatalities were identified as Brian Davis, 62, the pilot, and passengers Michael Davis, 23, and Kelly Thompson, 21, all residents of Antlers. A spokesperson for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol expressed the community’s sadness, stating, “The Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the entire Antlers community are in mourning after the loss of three of our own in a tragic plane crash.”
An officer from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol explained the scene upon their arrival, “Upon arrival, we found the aircraft had suffered significant damage, and unfortunately, there were no survivors.”
Leading the investigation is the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), with early findings suggesting that the aircraft crashed shortly after departure from Antlers Municipal Airport. Mechanical failure or operational error are suspected contributors, but the exact cause is still being examined. The NTSB is expected to release a comprehensive report in the upcoming months. According to aviation records, the aircraft was in good condition and had met all inspection requirements prior to the flight.
The loss of the three men has profoundly impacted the Antlers community, with locals offering support to the victims’ families and reminiscing about happier times. A community member echoed the shared sentiment, “Brian, Michael, and Kelly were beloved members of our community, and their loss is felt deeply by all who knew them.”
Jeff Lucas, a spokesperson from the Pushmataha County Chamber of Commerce, expressed the harsh reality of such an event, “Waking up to this kind of tragedy is something you never hope for. It hits a small community hard; we’re so close-knit that we see each other at the grocery store and local eateries.”
A GoFundMe page has been set up to assist the family of crash victim Kelly Thompson. Initiated by a family member, the fundraising campaign has already raised over $6,500. The fundraising message reads, “Our family suffered a profound loss on April 4, 2024, when we lost Kelly, a brilliant and loving young man. Tracey and Jon Trullinger mourn the loss of their dearly loved son, who was taken from us far too soon in a plane crash near Antlers, Oklahoma. We kindly ask for your support to assist his parents in coping with this sudden and devastating loss. The contributions will be used to cover funeral expenses, as well as provide meals and necessities for our family as we gather to honor Kelly’s memory.”
