BRISTOL — Lincoln County Sheriffs Office has released the names of the people involved in a plane crash in Bristol on Aug. 20, 2026, one of whom succumbed at the scene. Two people were aboard the N83RF, single-engine, two-seater Diamond Aircraft when it went down near Fort William Henry. The aircraft was reportedly en route to Knox County Regional Airport, in Owls Head, from Brunswick Airport.

The airplane was found lying upside down in the harbor in about four feet of water, according to an earlier Lincoln County Sheriff's Office press release. Nearby residents and a building crew witnessed the crash and rushed into the water to help. 

The pilot, John Hall, 54, of Lee, New Hampshire, was pulled from the plane but died at the scene; his cause of death will be determined by the Maine Medical Examiner’s Office. Tyler Hall, 21, of Lee, New Hampshire is the son of the pilot. He was able to escape, and was transported from the scene to the Maine Health Lincoln Hospital – Miles Campus in Damariscotta with non-life-threatening injuries.

Deputies from the Sheriff's Office spent Friday, Aug. 21, assisting and supporting the NTSB and FAA with their investigation. Though the NTSB and FAA have taken the lead on this investigation, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office will continue to support the primary investigators into this crash," according to LCSO Chief Deputy Rand Maker, in a news release.

Bristol Fire and Rescue, Central Lincoln County Ambulance, Maine Marine Patrol, Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Ocean’s Edge Marine, and Hanley Construction all assisted either at the scene or with the removal and safe storage of the plane. Additionally, several citizens also assisted in the immediate moments after the crash to safely get both the pilot and the passenger to shore.

"We thank them all," said Maker.

"Our best wishes in this difficult time go out to the family involved in this tragedy," said Rand.