Philadelphia Inquirer Co-Owner Among Those Lost

A late Saturday accident our of Bedford, Massachusett's Hanscom Field has taken the lives of seven people as a Gulfstream IV (file photo) failed to execute a safe takeoff.

The 2140 ET accident occurred off of Rwy 11 as it prepared to head for Atlantic City International Airport in New Jersey. Media reports have identified the aircraft as N121JM, a 20000 G-IV owned by SK Travel LLC of Raleigh, NC.

No cause has been offered this early in the investigation and few clues seem to be available as to what may have instigated the accident. The FAA's Jim Peters is quoted as saying, "The aircraft was departing (when) it apparently caught fire." It is not know if the aircraft went off the end of the runway or whether it actually got airborne prior to impact.

The occupants of the G-IV had flown in to attend an event at the end of Doris Kearns Goodwin and were heading back to New Jersey thereafter. The aircraft carried a crew of three and four passengers, among them Lewis Katz, 72, co-owner of The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Daily News and Philly.com. Katz’s death was confirmed by Inquirer editor Bill Marimow. Others listed among the fatalities include Anne Leeds, the wife of Longport, NJ, Commissioner James P. Leeds Sr. Marcella Dalsey, executive director of the Drew A. Katz Foundation, was also reported on board. Other IDs have yet to be made.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov, www.inquirer.com