A recent high school graduate and an agri-businessman from Iowa Falls are among those who died when a small plane crashed in Indiana Friday.
The plane carrying four Iowans took off from Fort Dodge at 6:45 Friday morning. A deputy sheriff told WHTR TV in Indianapolis that the plane was heading to the airport in Anderson, Indiana, but the pilot was told the plane’s approach was too high. According to the deputy, witnesses believe the plane may have been trying to turn back toward the airport when it flipped over and nose-dived into a corn field.
The local coroner’s office identified the victims as 68-year-old Joseph Scallon of Iowa Falls, who owned an egg laying facility; 19-year-old Owen Renaud and 41-year-old Jesse Ostheimer, both of Alden; and 36-year-old Braden Hicks of Manson. According to a statement from the Fort Dodge Regional Airport, Hicks was a private flight instructor. Renaud, the 19 year old aboard the plane, graduated from South Hamilton High School this spring. Counselors will be available at the school today to meet with students who may need extra support.