3 Killed, 2 Injured In Plane Crash

[Phil Lilley]

http://www.baxterbulletin.com/article/2009...ONTPAGECAROUSEL

LAKEVIEW — Three people were killed and two others injured when a six-passenger Piper Cherokee Lance airplane crashed around 9 a.m. Friday near the end of the runway at Gaston's White River Resort.

Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery identified the dead as Warren William Langford, 52, of Chesterfield, Mo., and his 15-year-old son, Brendan Langford. Both were pronounced dead at the scene around 10:10 a.m. by Baxter County Coroner William Snow. Passenger Jacob Ritz, 15, of Bridgeton, Mo., was taken by ambulance to Baxter Regional Medical Center where he later died, the sheriff said.

Injured were Donald Beckerle, 43, and Joshua Beckerle, 15, both of of Eureka, Mo.

The elder Beckerle was treated and released at Baxter Regional Medical Center. Joshua Beckerle remained hospitalized in serious condition Friday evening in St. John's Medical Center in Springfield, Mo.

Montgomery said the aircraft is owned by Propaire Inc. of St. Louis. The pilot and passengers flew into Gaston's Resort from St. Louis on Tuesday and were en route back to St. Louis when the plane crashed on takeoff.

The cause of the crash was officially unknown Friday evening, the sheriff said, but a guest at the resort, who asked not to be identified, told The Bulletin that she observed the airplane tipping sharply from side to side as it became airborne.

Kyle Cowart of Glenwood, a guest with his family at the resort since last Sunday, said he was reading his Bible on the deck of his cottage about midway down the runway when the Piper Cherokee passed by. He said he had been enjoying watching airplanes take off from the runway all week. He took special notice of the Piper Cherokee, though, because it was only about 15 or 20 feet above the runway, much lower than other airplanes he had observed during the week, he said.

Two employees of the resort who either observed or helped the party load luggage onto the plane noted that the travel party had an abundance of luggage in addition to themselves inside the plane.

[Bubbas Dad]

This usually happens early in the summer when it first gets real hot. Pilots don't take in consideration Density Alttitude. The hotter it is outside the denser the air and it is harder for the wing to produce lift. In order for the plane to get off the ground it needs much more runway than on a cool day. It is too bad things like this happen especially after a fun trip to the river. If you fly please don't forget to take in account the outside air temp and the amount of weight you have in your plane, and adjust accordingly. God bless the lost and their families. Dave

[X-KHP]

I used to help load spray planes during the spraying season in western Kansas. We would start a dawn, as the sun rose in the sky, the more runway we needed to lift off. Their families will be in our prayers. Larry

[troutman11]

My family knows and is related to the Bekerle's I heard Josh's face is pretty beaten up and he is in a coma..please keep them in your prayers.

[Kayser]

The two kids that died went to the same high school as me. Even though I graduated last May, I'm still a part of the community, and stay somewhat connected with the people there. It's kind of hard to believe that some of the people I shared those halls with are dead. Prayers are with the friends and family.

Rob

[flyfshn]

My neighbor is related to the Langford's and was just notified of their passing about 10 minutes before it aired on the 5pm news. He said the two 15 year olds were getting ready to start their sophomore year at SLUH high school. What a tragedy. Our prayers are with them.