Athletic Staffers Torrey Ward and Aaron Leetch among 7 killed after small plane crashes near Central Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington, Illinois
Modified Date:
Thu, 08/31/2017 - 9:25amAccident Date:
Tuesday, April 7, 2015Five dead after plane crashes overnight in Illinois
A relative says a group of men was returning from the NCAA Championship in Indianapolis.
Small plane crashes in Central Illinois
It occurred early Tuesday morning east of Bloomington-Normal, near the Central Illinois Regional Airport.
Illinois State athletic staffers among 7 dead in plane crash
The Tribune quotes Scott Barrows as saying his daughter's husband, Scott Bittner, was on board with three other men and the pilot.
Illinois State athletic staffers among 7 dead in plane crash
Bittner lived with his wife and two children in Towanda, a small village just outside Bloomington, according to a co-worker who spoke to The Associated Press.
NO SURVIVORS IN SMALL PLANE CRASH IN BLOOMINGTON; ISU ATHLETIC DIRECTOR, COACH KILLED
While the conditions were foggy, officials have not said if weather played a role in the crash. Officials with the NTSB and FAA have been called to investigate.
2 members of ISU athletics department among 7 killed in plane crash
The other victims have been identified as: Terry Stralow, 64, a partner in a popular bar in Bloomington-Normal; Scott Bittner, 42, owner of a meat-processing company and owner of the twin-engine Cessna 414 that crashed; Thomas Hileman, 51, the pilot; Andy Butler, 40, a regional representative for Sprint; and Jason Jones, 45, a senior vice president/investment officer with Secord-Jones Wealth Management Group.
Report: Small plane changed course before deadly crash
Wednesday's National Transportation Safety Board report on the April 7 crash doesn't indicate why pilot Thomas Hileman flew higher and turned as he neared the runway. The report indicates the plane was descending just after midnight in fog when it turned east before crashing in a nearby farm field.
Illinois State grapples with fatal plane crash 1 year later
Wives and fiancees plan to gather April 7 in Bloomington and release balloons, while the basketball team plans to remember the day privately.
Remembering the 'Redbird 7'
The families of the Redbird 7 have organized a pay it forward event they call "Project 7." Anyone wishing to remember those lost in the crash are encouraged to do 7 random acts of kindness today.
1 year later: Friends of crash victim pay tribute
The first Andy Butler endowed scholarship will be awarded this fall to an ISU basketball player, said Mr. Butler's fiancee, Jamie Fox.
NTSB: Loss of control, visibility caused 2015 fatal plane crash near Bloomington
Loss of control by the pilot, darkness and poor visibility caused the April 7, 2015, plane crash that killed seven men near Central Illinois Regional Airport, investigators said.
A small passenger plane that was on it's way from Indianapolis to the Central Illinois Regional Airport disappeared off air control radar shortly before its schedule landing time at around midnight, April 7. After a search team found the wreckage, seven people have been confirmed dead. Among those identified are two Illinois State athletic staffers, including the athletic department's deputy director for external relations, Aaron Leetch, and associate head basketball coach, Torrey Ward. The pilot of the plane has also been identified as Scott Bittner, 42, as well as another passenger identified as Terry Starlow. The cause of this tragic crash remains under investigation, but currently it is believed that fog in the area could have been a factor, though this is not confirmed.
Type: Aircraft Accident
People Involved:
Torrey Ward
Aaron Leetch
Scott Bittner
Terry Stralow
Thomas Hileman
Andy Butler
Jason Jones
City:
Bloomington, ILCounty:
McLean County, ILArea:
Peoria-Bloomington, IL
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