Steel CEO and three family members among six fatalities in Ohio plane crash.
A tragic aviation incident occurred on Sunday near Youngstown, Ohio, claiming the lives of six individuals, including a prominent regional business leader and three members of his family. The victims have been identified as James Weller II, 67, his wife Veronica Weller, 68, their son John Weller, 36, and John’s spouse, 34-year-old Maria Weller. The family was reportedly en route to Bozeman, Montana, for a vacation when their aircraft met a catastrophic fate shortly after takeoff.
The twin-engine Cessna 441 turboprop crashed just seven minutes after departing from Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport, according to local news reports. The aircraft went down in a wooded area approximately two miles from the airport runway, landing in a suburban backyard, causing alarm among local residents. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed that the crash occurred at approximately 6:55 a.m. local time.
Weller served as the president and CEO of Liberty Steel Industries, Inc., a company based in nearby Warren, Ohio. Reports indicate that Weller’s company did not provide comment following the incident. The flight’s crew members, both of whom perished in the crash, included pilot Joseph Maxin, 63, who was the director of compliance for the Western Reserve Port Authority (WRPA) and had previously served on its board. Maxin also contributed to the field of aviation as an instructor at Youngstown State University’s newly established flight school.
The crash marks one of the deadliest aviation incidents in the region’s history, raising profound concerns regarding aviation safety. Local authorities report that the homes located near the crash site were jolted by the impact, with residents witnessing smoke and flames following the disaster. Witness accounts described the intensity of the crash, with some likening the sound to thunder.
Tributes have since poured in from various organizations connected to the deceased, including the WRPA and Youngstown State University. Sharon Speedway, a racing venue previously co-owned by Weller’s father, expressed sorrow over the family’s loss, highlighting James Weller II’s achievements in the racing community.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. As the community mourns this tragic loss, the focus remains on uncovering the factors that contributed to the plane crash, a devastating event that has left many grieving for the families affected.
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