A beloved family of four were tragically killed when their plane went down in a field while traveling home from their beach vacation. 

“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of a cherished family from our Crusader community,” Grace Christian Sanford School shared in a Facebook message.

“The Buchanan Family, including students Aubrey, who was about to enter the 5th grade, and Walker, soon-to-be 4th grader, along with their parents, Travis and Candace, have gone to be with the Lord today,” the message stated. 

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) verified to Fox News Digital that a Cirrus SR22 aircraft crashed into a wooded area in Sanford, North Carolina, at approximately 1:45 p.m. local time on Monday, July 7. 

Image of the Buchanan family from a Halloween event in 2024 where funds were raised for the Reach Out Pregnancy Center local in Sanford, according to the photographer.  (Nickie Runyan Photography )

“I still remember the day Travis came to the restaurant and brought us a lot of his harvests to try, we even name a margarita after his farm. During this difficult time, we stand together in support of their family. We send all our prayers, support and condolences to their families and friends.”

Another local business, Nickie Runyan Photography, shared fond memories with the family and called the family’s passing “an immense loss.” 

“Travis and Candace have worked alongside me from the beginning of my photography business. They were always so generous to offer up farm space for mini-sessions or hosting my mini-session ministry days,” Runyan wrote in post on Facebook. “It was truly a joy to work alongside them any chance I had, and my entire family loved attending their farm events. They truly were a beacon of light in our community with all that they did.”

The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will be leading the investigation, with both agencies expected to arrive at the crash site on Tuesday.

A spokesperson for the NTSB told Fox News Digital that “it is very early in the investigation and not much information is available at this time.” 

Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com