MENDON — Aviation investigators have released an initial report about the plane crash that killed a Utah State University instructor and student on June 24.
The crash happened between Mendon and Wellsville around 9 a.m. west of 2831 S. State Road 23, near the base of the Wellsville Mountains.
The National Transportation Safety Board said a pilot and student were doing “spin training” when the incident occurred.
According to federal investigators, the Cessna 152 took off at approximately 8:30 a.m. from the Logan Cache Airport. The airplane maneuvered in the area for about 30 minutes prior to the crash. Surveillance video footage of the accident sequence was located and showed the airplane in a “fully developed spin” prior to impact.
The report explained how the airplane hit the ground nose first. The force of the impact broke the plane into several pieces. The propeller hub with both propeller blades separated from the propeller flange. The left and right wings were compressed forward and detached from the plane. The nose landing gear also collapsed and folded underneath the cabin seats.
Witnesses quickly arrived at the crash site and assisted in guiding law enforcement and EMS personnel onto the scene. It was learned by the witnesses that there were no survivors of the crash.
Blake Shumway was identified as the flight instructor and Michael Carpenter was identified as the aviation student.
Utah State University officials said Shumway was a certified flight instructor and worked for USU Aviation since September 2021. Carpenter was majoring in aviation technology/professional pilot and was scheduled to graduate in fall 2022.
Family members said both men had a passion for flying and they died while doing what they loved.
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