NTSB Investigates Alabama Plane Crash

Federal investigators are going through the wreckage of a deadly plane crash that claimed the lives of two people -- including a Fulton County Juvenile Court Judge Sanford Jones.

Federal investigators were back on site of a deadly plane crash in Opelika, Alabama.

Investigators said a top priority is figuring out what caused the plane to go down.

"There was fuel on board the aircraft, at least in the tip tanks. We have not confirmed that there was fuel in the main tanks yet because they were breached when they went through the trees," said NTSB investigator, Butch Wilson. "The biggest thing was he lost more altitude and could quite get over the trees quick enough or he would have landed it."

Fifty-six-year-old Judge Sanford Jones and 18-year-old Alexander Sasha Medina was killed instantly upon impact.

"The engine was not running when he hit the ground. That we do know," said Wilson. "All the evidence indicates that the engine was shut down."

Medina's friends, 19-year-old Sarah Conklin and Joshua Rumohr, survived. All three graduated from Newnan High School last year.

Judge Jones left a lasting impression on those who worked with him at Fulton's Juvenile Justice Center.

"He was very compassionate. He had great humility. You know, very generous. He was just as committed to the children," said Dannette McLaurin Glass.

Glass works with troubled young people and spends a lot of time at the justice center. Judge Jones, she said, made a difference.

"He knew the juvenille court wasn't just about the court, the judicial process, but he knew it was about the community -- the whole community. So he let the churches come in and he let the schools and the Department of Family Services so we could work together as a team," said Glass.

"He would call and say, 'I just wanted to tell you I loved you today. I hadn't heard from you this week.' And I said, 'Well, I love you too and thank you for what you've done for me.'" said Claudia Barnes.

Claudia is the widow of Judge Roland Barnes -- one of four people murdered by Brian Nichols during a shooting spree that began at the Fulton County Courthouse in March, 2005.

Mrs. Barnes said the two judges were good friends -- and that Judge Jones presided over the Barnes' wedding. She wasn't surprised when he offered comfort and support when she needed it most.

"He basically put his emotions out there for a little while, and then he suppressed them in order to see me through that. Then he would follow up with checking on me. He was like another brother," said Barnes.

NTSB investigators said they are moving wreckage from the single engine plane to Griffin for further investigation.