Small plane crash under 'unknown' circumstances in Massachusetts claims lives of flight school owner, instructor and student pilot

FRANKLIN COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS: A popular owner of a flight school along with an instructor and a student pilot were killed after a small plane crashed into a wooded area in Massachusetts on Sunday, 14 January. 

They were identified as Fredrika Ballard, 53, of Southwick, who owned the Fly Lugu Flight School, instructor William Hampton, 68, of Indian Orchard, and student pilot Chad Davidson, 29, of Woodstock, Connecticut.

How did the plane crash in Massachusetts? 

Boston 25 reported that the twin-engine Beechcraft 55 Baron took off from Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport at 11 am.

However, shortly after takeoff, the aircraft crashed near Leyden. Emergency responders were dispatched to the Leyden Wildlife Management Area at 12:30 pm in response to the dogwalker's calls.

Subsequently, wreckage and bodies were located with the assistance of drones.

In a statement, the National Transportation Safety Board said an investigator was sent to the site after the plane crashed “under unknown circumstances.”

“Once on site, the investigator will begin the process of documenting the scene and examining the aircraft,” the statement says. “The aircraft will then be recovered to a secure facility for further evaluation.”

Fredrika Ballard was a popular flight school owner who started flying when she was 16

Fredrika Ballard, the flight school owner had been a second-generation pilot.

She started flying solo at the age of 16 and was an active member of the International Organization of Women Pilots and Women in Aviation International.

She had flown the ill-fated, six-seater plane to various destinations, including to Martha’s Vineyard, with her husband, friends, and sometimes her dog, Violet. 

In October of last year, Ballard was among the Women of Impact for 2023, a title given by BusinessWest.

Her passion for flying was propelled by her father who was a general aviation pilot and flew small planes as a hobby.

She had left her two-decade career in health care and focused fully on her flight school, which she started in 2019, according to MassLive. 

“Because of their aircraft operations and fuel purchases, their activities are part of the airport’s overall growth,” Barnes Airport manager Christopher Willenborg said last year, according to the outlet.

“She has slowly grown the number of aircraft based here. It’s about a partnership and her activities are part of an overall system that is helping grow this airport,” he said.

The school maintained a fleet of seven aircraft

The school operated a fleet of seven aircraft. In addition to this, Ballard was also the owner of AeroDesign Aircraft Services, a local aviation maintenance and restoration service headquartered at the Westfield-Barnes Regional Airport.

She started the company in 2021 along with her husband Joseph Ballard, according to the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office.

The Kiwanis Club of Westfield, a volunteer organization, posted to their Facebook about Ballard’s death.

“We are deeply saddened to learn of the untimely and tragic passing of our dear friend and fellow Kiwanian Fredrika Ballard on Sunday.

"Our hearts go out to her husband and family, and all of her many friends. An accomplished pilot and an astute businesswoman, her loss will be keenly felt throughout our community,” the post reads.

"Heaven received three angles yesterday who already had their wings," wrote photographer Jeff Byrnes in tribute. "My heart hurts at the loss of our friends and fellow pilots Fredrika Hamann Ballard and Bill Hampton."

"Rika was a pioneer in the aviation community. Bill was a storied pilot whom I recently connected with over our love of helicopters."

"When I photograph people I bond with them and create connections. Our love for aviation and passion for building our businesses was just a touch of what bond Rika and I shared," the photographer added.

"Through the lens I was fortunate to create moments of smiles and laughs that I will cherish. My heart goes out to the friends and family of Rika, Bill Hampton, all the friends and family at Fly Lugu Flight Training and Chad Davidson."

Witnesses describe plane crash 

One witness, Mark Duprey, told Greenfield Recorder, he was standing in his 60-acre field at the intersection of Leyden Road and Barton Road when he watched the plane descend from the sky in a “corkscrew manner.”

“I thought it was someone fooling around doing acrobatics until it began to nosedive,” Duprey recounted.

 While watching the small plane, Duprey said he was surprised at how loud it was. However, when the plane began to fall, he said it went silent before ultimately disappearing.

What are investigators going to do to reveal the mystery behind the plane crash? 

National Transportation Safety Board as per the publication which is in charge of the investigation will collect flight tracking data; recordings of any air traffic control communications; aircraft maintenance records; weather forecasts and actual weather and lighting conditions around the time of the crash.

Besides this, the pilot’s license, ratings, and flight experience; information on the pilot’s background within 72 hours of the flight to determine if any issues could have affected the pilot’s ability to safely operate a plane.

Moreover, witness statements, electronic devices that could contain information relevant to the investigation, and any available surveillance videos, including doorbell cameras will also be collected.