Six people lost their lives Sunday morning when a small plane crashed shortly after departing from Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport in Ohio, officials confirmed.
The twin-engine plane, registered to Meander Air LLC of Warren, Ohio according to FAA records, was en route to Bozeman, Montana, for what was intended as a family vacation, Western Reserve Port Authority Executive Director Anthony Trevena said at a news conference.
The victims included the pilot, Joseph Maxin, 63, and co-pilot Timothy Blake, 55, along with four members of the Weller family, who are known for their steel manufacturing businesses in the Youngstown-Warren region.
Trumbull County Coroner Lawrence D’Amico identified the remaining victims as Veronica Weller, 68; her husband, James Weller, 67; their son, John Weller, 36; and his wife, Maria Weller, 34.
The wreckage proved difficult to access due to the thick forest surrounding the crash site, Howland Township Fire Chief Raymond Pace said. “This is an extremely tragic situation, but it could have been worse,” Pace noted, pointing out that three homes were located near the impact zone.
Joseph Maxin, the pilot, was also recognized as the director of compliance for the Western Reserve Port Authority, which owns the airport, and he previously served as an assistant prosecutor for the Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office.
Public flight tracking data indicated that the planes planned destination was Bozeman, Montana, said Michael Hillman, president of aviation company JETS FBO Network.
Hillman, who spoke at the news conference, described the loss as deeply personal for the local aviation community. “These were the best of the best in terms of the folks here at the field, as well as the pilots. I can’t say enough about them,” Hillman said. “I’d give anything to rewind the day and take them to breakfast instead.”
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have launched a joint investigation into the cause of the crash.
All 153 passengers and six crew members landed safely, but the incident is under investigation by the FAA, according to the agency. In that case, the aircraft taxied to the gate under its own power and all customers deplaned without injury, according to American Airlines.