Wayne Fisher, 68, and Donald Pechon, 59, killed in small plane crash at Slidell City Airport in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana

Modified Date: 
Wed, 03/15/2017 - 9:37am
Accident Date: 
Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Two killed in plane crash at Slidell airport

According to Slidell Police, two St. Tammany Parish Mosquito planes were landing after spraying various areas. The pilot of one of the planes witnessed the crash. He stated that during the approach for landing, for unknown reasons, the other plane rolled upside down and crashed into the wood line.

The pilot who successfully landed immediately called 911 and attempted to get back to the crash site.

The crash happened around 9:30 p.m., just North of the runway, as the plane was landing.

Coroner identifies two pilots killed in Tuesday plane crash near Slidell

The men were identified based on “reliable information” about who was on the plane, but DNA testing will likely be necessary to confirm the identities, Hartman said. Next of kin have been notified for both men.

Recovery of the bodies is ongoing, he added.

Two pilots killed in plane crash Tuesday night near Slidell are mourned by friends, colleagues

Details are still sketchy on what happened to the Beech 65 aircraft as it came in for a landing just after 9 p.m. Tuesday. The two pilots had been spraying for mosquitoes, as they frequently did for the Mosquito Abatement District, which has an office and a hangar at the airport.

Pilots killed in crash remembered for love of flying, people

Chuck Palmisano, the director of the parish Mosquito Abatement Office, says both were longtime pilots with his agency, and other public entities.  Both were described as accomplished airmen.

Mosquito plane hit electrical towers before Slidell crash killing 2

The two towers, 70 to 80 feet tall, were about 200 yards north of the main wreckage, the report said. The plane's left wing tip and a portion of its chemical tank were found near the towers.

Slidell wants to move power lines hit by plane near airport

The location of the power lines, owned by Cleco and Entergy Corp., complies with all regulations, Vanney said. But moving them would make the airport safer and pave the way for its expansion, he said.

People Involved: 
Wayne Fisher
Donald Pechon

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