Brothers Had Just Scattered Their Father's Ashes From An Airplane
An Army National Guard Black Hawk pilot was fatally injured Friday when the Aeronca 7AC Champ he had borrowed to scatter his late father's ashes went down in a pond near the Cranland Airport in Hanson, MA.
The pilot has been identified as Scott Landis, 34, of Hanson, MA. His brother Patrick was also on board the aircraft and was seriously injured in the accident.
New England Cable News reports that the brothers' uncle said he understood that they had already scattered the ashes when the accident occurred. The plane came to rest inverted in the pond, trapping the two men in the water. Both were airlifted to different hospitals, but Scott did not survive.
The uncle, Don Conway, told television station WFXT that Scott Landis had been station in Kosovo, and had returned on bereavement leave following his father's death. Conway said that Landis "is a very established pilot" who was "meticulous when he flies."
Patrick Landis remained in critical condition at last report.
(Scott Landis photo from his Facebook page)