Beloved father is killed as his plane smashes into wealthy neighborhood and ... trends now Jason McKenzie was killed after his plane struck a tree on Thursday The fiery wreck crash landed in Augusta, Georgia at around 7.10am The father-of-one used his piloting skills to avoid any other injuries or deaths By Bethan Sexton For Dailymail.Com Published: 00:45 BST, 3 May 2024 | Updated: 00:48 BST, 3 May 2024 Viewcomments A beloved father has been killed after his plane hit a tree and burst into flames inches away from homes in a wealthy Georgia neighborhood. Doting dad Jason McKenzie, the associate director of philanthropy at Augusta University, was the sole person aboard the aircraft when it crashed landed on Thursday morning. He had taken off from Daniel Field Airport bound for New Haven, Connecticut and was returning to the airfield when his plane crashed in a fiery wreck. First responders said his piloting skills ensured no further deaths or injuries. He is survived by his wife Stephanie and their young son. 'I think that was a miracle,' neighbor Lisa Lewis told WRDW. 'I think the Lord protected everyone else.' Beloved father Jason McKenzie was killed after his plane hit a tree and burst into flames inches away from homes in a wealthy Georgia neighborhood The fiery wreck crash landed in Augusta, Georgia at around 7.10am He had taken off from Daniel Field Airport bound for New Haven, Connecticut and was returning to the airfield when his plane crashed. Pictured: McKenzie with his wife and child McKenzie's single-engine Beechcraft Bonanza A36 crashed at Hillcrest Avenue at Belmont Drive at around 7:13 a.m. Flights records indicated that he only reached 625 feet in altitude before crashing. The plane skimmed a tree ripping off the left wing tip before crash landing between two homes on the leafy street. Loved ones and colleagues paid tribute to the tragic pilot, who was described as a committed Christian and diligent worker. 'Jason was a devoted husband, father, and son. He loved his community, his work, and his church,' McKenzie's close fried Will Dyer said. 'But most of all, I know that Jason loved Jesus. He was a faithful and committed follower of Christ. His faith was the guiding principle in his life and I trust that his faith is what led him into eternity.' 'His passion for the university and our athletics programs was unsurpassed. We are keeping Jason's family, friends and colleagues in our thoughts and prayers,' AU said in a statement. GeorgiaConnecticut Read more: Share or comment on this article: Beloved father is killed as his plane smashes into wealthy neighborhood and bursts into flames just inches away from multi-million dollar mansions - as his final act of heroism is revealed All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility