Eyewitness describes scene of plane crash

LAFAYETTE, Louisiana – A small plane crash near Oakbourne Country Club killed 73-year-old Greg Manuel, owner of Lafayette construction company Manuel Companies.

Our KATC team was on scene following the accident. Click here to read all the details.

Jacqueline Johansson, who lives three blocks from the Oakbourne Country Club next to the Lafayette Regional Airport, described the scene.

“It was really loud, like two sticks of dynamite,” she says.

Johansson, who has some flying experience, tells KATC that she recognized when something could have gone wrong.

“It looked like the plane might have tipped over,” she said. “Or maybe rolled over. It came down low, that’s all I can see.”

The cause of the crash is still unknown and officials stress that the investigation will be lengthy. They also confirmed that the plane left Lafayette Airport at 11:57 a.m. and that a distress call was received about the plane two minutes later. “It’s going to be a slow process; it’s not something you can investigate and figure out in a few hours,” explained Robert Benoit, chief of the Lafayette Fire Department. “It could take weeks, months or even a year.”

“I feel the most sorry for the people affected, but seeing it is just upsetting,” Johansson said. “You don’t know what else to say. My prayers are with everyone.”

As the community continues to mourn his loss and remember his legacy, his own company is looking back at the impact its owner had on the company. In a statement, they said:

“Greg’s commitment to Manuel Companies went beyond business. He was a pillar of our community, known for his unwavering generosity, his commitment to improving the lives of those around him, and his genuine concern for those whose lives he touched. His contributions will be felt far and wide, leaving an indelible mark on both the professional and personal lives of many.”

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