GUILFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Local NASCAR legend Ted Christopher has been identified as one of the victims from a plane crash in Guilford on Saturday afternoon.
The Facebook page for Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park posted a tribute to Christopher on Saturday evening, after racing website Speed51 reported that a family member had confirmed to them that Christopher had died in the crash earlier that day.
According to crews, the aircraft crashed at approximately 1:53 PM on Saturday in an area near 480 West Street, and traveled approximately 75 feet into a wooded area.
The Federal Aviation Administration says two people were on board the Mooney M20C aircraft as it went down. There is no update on the status of the other person in the plane.
Police are still investigating the incident.
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NORTH BRANFORD, CT (WFSB) -
The racing community is mourning the loss of a veteran modified NASCAR driver, Ted Christopher, who was one of the victims in a plane crash on Saturday.
Police said two people on board a Mooney M20C aircraft were killed when it crashed in North Branford on Saturday. The second person was identified on Sunday as 81-year-old Charles Dundas, from New York and Florida.
The crash happened in the area of West Street, around 1:53 p.m. on Saturday. Police said they do not yet know where the plane took off, or to where it was headed.
"It was really strange," described neighbor Carrie Carignan. "It almost sounded like a dump truck opening the back and gravel falling out."
Carignan said she assumed the noise was a tree falling in the woods, but it wasn't until an hour later, when she said she learned of the crash while on a hike.
"All of a sudden, he called me frantic, you got to call 911, you got to call 911," said Carignan "There's been a plane crash and I'm like 'Oh my God.'"
The FAA is investigating the crash.
News of the crash spread quickly to the racing community when it was learned that veteran NASCAR Whelen Modified driver, 59-year-old Ted "Teddy" Christopher was one of the victims killed in the crash.
Before a race Saturday at Waterford Speedbowl, General Manager, George Whitney said a driver drove Christopher's #13 car around the track twice in remembrance of the driver killed in the crash. Whitney said Christopher often raced at speed ways in Waterford and Thompson.
NASCAR CEO Brian France made a statement of the driver's passing.
"We are all saddened to learn of the tragic plane crash this afternoon that claimed the lives of NASCAR driver Ted Christopher and the aircraft's pilot. As a championship driver on the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour and New England short tracks, Christopher was a throwback to NASCAR's roots. He was a tough racer's racer, and his hard driving style and candid personality endeared him to short track fans throughout the country. He will be missed throughout the racing community, in the garage and, especially, in the hearts of his many fans. NASCAR has his family and friends in its thoughts and prayers during this difficult time."
Guilford Police and Fire, and North Branford units also responded. The remains of the plane will be removed in the coming days.
Date: 16-SEP-2017
Time: 13:53LT
Type:
Mooney M20C Ranger
Owner/operator: Private
Registration: N53CP
C/n / msn: 2663
Fatalities: Fatalities: 2 / Occupants: 2
Other fatalities: 0
Airplane damage: Written off (damaged beyond repair)
Location: Guilford-North Branford, CT -
United States of America Phase: Unknown
Nature: Unknown
Departure airport: Robertson Field (4B8)
Destination airport:
Narrative:
The plane crashed in woodland under unknown reasons.
The 2 occupants were killed. Ted Christopher, a former NASCAR Champion was one of the victims.
Sources:
http://wtnh.com/2017/09/16/plane-crashes-in-guilford/
http://www.wfsb.com/story/36382555/troopers-guilford-pd-respond-to-reports-of-plane-crash
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/national-international/NASCAR-Champion-Ted-Christoper-Dead-in-North-Branford-Plane-Crash-445055353.html?_osource=SocialFlowTwt_CHBrand
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/cops-id-victim-plane-crash-killed-nascar-driver-article-1.3502288
https://www.google.com/maps/place/West+St,+North+Branford,+CT+06471/@41.3535046,-72.7414814,16z/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x89e7d2efa78149fb:0x80485c752555c569?hl=en-us
http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Results.aspx?NNumbertxt=53CP