The Marshall County, Mississippi community is mourning the tragic loss of two lives following a small plane crash near Holly Springs on Sunday evening. Authorities have identified the victims as Wesley Bolden, 29, of Marshall County, and Jordan Hall, 17, of Olive Branch. The devastating accident has left families, friends, and the wider community grieving the sudden deaths of a respected aviation professional and a promising young student.
According to the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, the crash occurred around 5:00 p.m. in a wooded area east of the Holly Springs–Marshall County Airport, located at 171 A.Q. Greer Road. Sheriff Kenny Dickerson reported that the aircraft struck a large pine tree before crashing to the ground, resulting in significant damage to the plane. When first responders arrived, the wreckage was already engulfed in flames.
Wesley Bolden was a certified flight instructor and the owner and operator of Firecrest Aviation, a flight school he founded in August at the Holly Springs–Marshall County Airport. A 2017 graduate of Marshall Academy, Bolden was widely respected for his dedication to aviation and his commitment to training future pilots. Community members remember him as a driven professional with a passion for flight and a desire to give back through education and mentorship.
Bolden is survived by his fiancée and their one-year-old daughter. Sheriff Dickerson noted that Bolden’s family is well known and deeply respected throughout Marshall County, describing the loss as a tragedy that has touched the entire community. Friends and colleagues have shared tributes highlighting his professionalism, generosity, and love for aviation.
Also killed in the crash was Jordan Hall, a 17-year-old student from Olive Branch. Hall was known in the Marshall Academy community as a former football player and a valued member of the school. Those who knew him describe him as a promising young man with athletic talent, enthusiasm, and a bright future ahead. His sudden passing has left classmates, teachers, and friends struggling to process the loss of a life cut tragically short.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is expected to lead the investigation into the cause of the crash. Officials have not yet confirmed whether the aircraft was attempting to land at the time of the incident. The Holly Springs–Marshall County Airport does not have a control tower, with flight coordination typically managed through Memphis air traffic control. The airport’s primary runway measures approximately 3,200 feet in length.
As the investigation continues, the community has come together to support the families affected by this heartbreaking tragedy. Funeral and memorial service arrangements for Wesley Bolden and Jordan Hall have not yet been announced.
The loss of both a dedicated flight instructor and a young student has left a profound impact on Marshall County and surrounding areas. As loved ones grieve, they remember Wesley Bolden for his passion, leadership, and devotion to aviation, and Jordan Hall for his youth, potential, and the promise of a future that will never be realized.
Their memories will live on through the lives they touched, and the community continues to mourn two lives lost far too soon.
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