Victims Include Former State Legislator

All six passengers aboard a Cessna 206 are reported lost after a Sunday afternoon takeoff crash near the Fremont Airport (14G) in Fremont, OH near the Lake Erie coast. Among the victims was pilot Gene Damschroder, 86, a former prominent state legislator.

The single engine aircraft went down in a residential neighborhood east of the airport at 1300 local time shortly after takeoff according to the Ohio Highway Patrol. The aircraft came down within a mile of the east end of Fremont Airport’s runway in an open field surrounded by houses. It clipped a tree on its way down. No structures were struck and no one on the ground was injured.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports those killed include Gene Damschroder, Sr., 86; Bill Ansted, 62; Allison Ansted, 23; Daniel Gerwin, 31; Emily Gerwin; and Matt Clearman, 25.

According to the pilots son, Rex Damschroder, his father was hosting a pancake breakfast for the local Lions’ Club at the airport and taking people up for airplane rides during the event. He was not there when the plane crashed.

"One of the witnesses told me he heard the engine sputter, but that was about it," the younger Mr. Damschroder said.

Weather conditions were reported hot and breezy, with no storm activity in the area.

Gene Damschroder had a long tenure in aviation dating back to military experience during World War II. He had bought the 1968 Cessna 206 new 40 years ago and maintained it meticulously.

"He had a long flying career. He was a highly experienced pilot," Rex Damschroder said. "It was an accident -- a misfortune. He’s been flying since he was 20. Flying was his life."

FAA records show Gene Damschroder held both single and multi-engine pilot certificates with an instrument and seaplane rating. He was also a certified flight instructor and airframe and powerplant mechanic.

The highway patrol said Federal Aviation Administration representatives were on the scene and the National Transportation Safety Board is enroute to investigate.

FMI: www.faa.gov, www.ntsb.gov