Four people are dead after a small plane crashed in Vermont on Sunday, police said.
Vermont State Police identified the deceased as Paul Pelletier, 55; Frank Rodriguez, 88; Susan Van Ness, 51; and Delilah Van Ness, 15.
Pelletier was an aerospace and manufacturing teacher at Middletown Public Schools in Connecticut, the school said in a statement. Delilah Van Ness, a sophomore, was one of his students, and Susan Van Ness was her mother.
“This unimaginable loss has left a void in our hearts and our community,” said the district’s superintendent, Alberto Vázquez Matos. “Paul, Delilah, and Susan were special individuals whose absence is already being felt throughout our district and city.”
Middletown High School released this photo of Delilah Van Ness, a sophomore, and Paul Pelletier, an Aerospace and Manufacturing teacher, Middletown. Vt., Sep. 9, 2024.
Middletown High School
Officials did not provide information on Rodriguez’s connection to the others in the crash.
According to Connecticut ABC affiliate WTNH, Delilah Van Ness had been taking flight lessons with Pelletier.
Police said the four departed Sunday morning in a privately owned four-seat aircraft from Windham Airport in Connecticut and flew about two hours to Basin Harbor Airport in Ferrisburgh, Vermont. Upon reaching their destination, the occupants had brunch, then left the restaurant shortly after noon to fly back to Connecticut.
A witness said they saw the airplane on the runway at about 12:15 p.m. local time, state police said.
State police said they did not receive any reports of a plane crash or an aircraft in distress, but after the plane did not return to Connecticut, relatives contacted police.
Just after midnight on Monday, investigators found the crashed aircraft in a wooded area east of the airport in Vermont.
Delilah Van Ness appears in a photo released by Middletown High School, where she was a sophomore, in Middletown, Vt., Sep. 9, 2024.
Middletown High School
All four occupants were found dead.
The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident.
The cause of the crash has not yet been determined.
Middletown High School will be closed Tuesday, and crisis teams will be made available for members of the school community in need of counseling or other support, the school said.
“As the community grieves, Middletown Public Schools calls for unity and mutual support,” the school said in a statement. “The district aims to honor the memory of Paul, Delilah, and Susan by upholding their legacies of compassion, dedication, and kindness.”
A tragic plane crash has claimed the lives of four individuals, including a student and a teacher. The small aircraft went down in a remote area, leaving behind a trail of devastation and sorrow.
The crash occurred on a clear and sunny day, raising questions about what could have caused the accident. The pilot, a seasoned aviator with years of experience, was flying the plane with three passengers on board. Among them were a student and a teacher, who were on their way to a school event.
The news of the crash has sent shockwaves through the community, as friends and family members struggle to come to terms with the loss of their loved ones. The student, a bright and promising young individual, had a passion for learning and was well-liked by peers and teachers alike. The teacher, a dedicated educator with a passion for teaching, had a profound impact on the lives of many students.
As investigators work to determine the cause of the crash, the community is left grappling with the reality of this tragic event. The loss of four lives in a single moment serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the unpredictability of tragedy.
In times like these, it is important for communities to come together to support one another and offer comfort to those who are grieving. The memories of those lost in the crash will live on in the hearts of those who knew them, and their legacy will continue to inspire others to live life to the fullest.
As we mourn the loss of these four individuals, let us also remember to cherish the time we have with our loved ones and hold them close. Life is precious and fleeting, and it is important to make the most of every moment we have. May the souls of those lost in the plane crash rest in peace, and may their memories be a source of comfort and strength for those left behind.
