In a post on Greg Connell's website, family members describe the pilot as a proud airman, South Carolina Gamecock fanatic and huge animal lover.
Connell died after his plane crashed during the Good Neighbor Day Air Show at DeKalb-Peachtree Airport on Saturday. He was performing an aerial trick when the crash happened.
According to the post, Connell started his piloting career at 13, eventually becoming an aerobatic and commercial pilot logging more than 2,000 hours of flight time.
“His bigger than life personality always left a lasting impression to those who were lucky enough to meet him,” the post read. “And to those that were fortunate enough to make it into his circle of friends, you were family to him.”
Officials are still investigating Connell’s death and are taking into consideration several factors.
"We will focus on the pilot, the plane, and the environment," National Transportation Safety Board senior investigator Ralph Hicks told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Monday. "Environment includes the wind but also other factors such as sun angle, possibility of turbulence, etc."
Video of the crash shows two planes crossing paths close to the ground as part of the dive maneuver. The planes descended into the air, but when Connell's plane turns back around, it crashed to the ground and went up in flames.
The crash was the first in the air show’s 30-plus year history.
A memorial service for Connell will be held Wednesday at 7 p.m. at The Richmond on Greene in Augusta, his family said in the post. Friends can visit family from 5 to 7 p.m. before the service.
The address is: 725 Greene St., Augusta, GA 30901
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