Dr. Thomas Littlejohn III of Edgartown and Winston-Salem, North Carolina died on Wednesday, March 30 when his chartered plane crashed into the ground in a neighborhood just south of Piedmont Triad International Airport.
FAA officials said the plane is a Hawker Beechcraft BE58. It was headed from Wilmington to Winston-Salem, but was diverted to Greensboro due to adverse weather in Winston-Salem.
The pilot, who officials have not identified, was also killed. Officials from the FAA and NTSB are investigating the cause of the crash.
Dr. Littlejohn, 62, was president and chief medical officer of PMG Research Inc. and Clinical Ink Inc., companies involved in running clinical trials for pharmaceutical companies.
Dr. Littlejohn and his wife Margaret bought a house on Mullen Way in Edgartown in October 2009, according to town records.
Dr. Littlejohn practiced at Maplewood Family Practice in Winston-Salem, according to a news report on myfox8.com. He had more than 20 years experience in clinical research and had a national reputation.
At the time of the crash, visibility near the airport was just 1/4 mile 100 feet above the ground, National Weather Service officials said.
A Memorial service will take place at 3 pm, Sunday, April 3, at Knollwood Baptist Church in Winston-Salem with Reverend Roger Underwood and Doctor Benny Littlejohn officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Greater Gift Initiative c/o The Winston Salem Foundation, 860 West Fifth Street, Winston-Salem, N.C. 27101.
The Littlejohn family would like to express its deepest appreciation for the overwhelming outpouring of love and support we’ve received from the community. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.
A full obituary will be published as soon as it is available.
