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 All seven persons aboard the Cessna RAM 414 twin engine were
killed. The plane went down in a farm field approximately 2.5 miles
ENE of Bloomington's Central Illinois Airport were killed.
The McLean County Coroner's Office was called to the scene Coroner's
to the scene north of the intersection of County Roads 1400N and
2100E of an aircraft lying on the ground in a bean field at 3:21
a.m. on April 7, 2015.
According to the coroner's office, the aircraft was found to contain
seven individuals. Each individual was belted into their respective
seat with no obvious signs of life. All were pronounced deceased at
the scene at 4:15 a.m.
The victims were:
Thomas Hileman, age 51,last of Bloomington, pilot of the airplane.
Aaron Leetch, age 37, last of Normal.
Andrew Butler, age 40, last of Normal.
Torrey Ward, age 36, last of Normal.
Woodrow 'Jason' Jones, age 45, last of Bloomington.
Terry Stralow, age 64, last of Bloomington.
Scott Bittner, age 42, last of Towanda.
 The preliminary cause of death for each person was determined to be
Multiple Blunt Injuries due to airplane crash. Forensic toxicology
tests have been ordered.
According to the coroners report:
Information obtained from airport personnel indicates the aircraft
purportedly took off from Indianapolis, Indiana at approximately 11
p.m. hours Central Standard Time and was due to land shortly after
midnight at CIRA. Because the CIRA tower was not manned at that
time, the Peoria approach facility was monitoring the flight and
noticed the aircraft disappeared from radar as it approached CIRA.
The Peoria facility notified CIRA of this occurrence. The
Bloomington Police Department conducted a search and at
approximately 3:15 a.m. the aircraft was discovered in the field.
Other agencies responding to the scene of the crash include:
Bloomington Police, Mclean County Sheriff's Department, Towanda Fire
Department, Bloomington Fire Department, Mclean County EMA and
representatives from CIRA.
The investigation by the Coroner's Office and the Mclean County
Sheriff's Department is ongoing.]
The National Transportation Safety Board has custody of the aircraft
and is conducting an investigation. During a press conference held
on Tuesday evening, a NTSB representative said that the fog that
residents woke to on Tuesday morning was not a factor in the crash.
The NTSB completed an onsite investigation to identify safety and
probable cause. At the crash site
all the planes major components were present. There was a limited
wreckage debris field, all the components were found within one wing
span of the aircraft. This included both engines, wings, nose and
tail; all present in limited area.
Illinois State University athletics department sent out the
following statements concerning those who were killed in the crash
and the loss of its athletic staff:
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Illinois State Director of Athletics Larry Lyons:
“Earlier today, the Illinois State Athletics Department announced
the loss of two important staff members. However, there were five
other individuals who were also on the airplane who lost their
lives. Out of respect to the families involved, we waited to speak
to the significant loss of life of our friends.
Andy Butler, Terry Stralow, Jason Jones, Scott Bittner and Tom
Hileman were Redbird guys. Every school has these guys: donors,
fans, and supporters who are always there when needed. They were
great men and good community partners.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to each of the families. It is time
for all Redbirds to come together in their memory.”
“The Redbird family and the Bloomington-Normal community has
suffered a terrible loss today.
Aaron Leetch was a shining star in this business. He had a gift in
dealing with people and building relationships. Our external units
were making incredible progress under his leadership, and he was on
that trip doing what he does best.
Torrey Ward was a big part of the success taking place with our
men’s basketball program. He had a big personality, was a talented
coach and recruiter, and our fans loved him.
Our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of those involved.
There is no play in the playbook for times like these. We will miss
Aaron and Torrey deeply, and we will support their families in any
way that we can. To honor their individual and collective legacies,
we will move the Redbirds and our community forward.”
From Illinois State Head Men’s Basketball Coach Dan Muller:
“To lose a bunch of friends much too early is devastating. To all of
the families and friends, my deepest condolences and my prayers are
with you. To Aaron Leetch, a friend, colleague, and mentor, I will
miss you so much. And to my dear friend Torrey Ward, I love you so
much, I will miss you every day and I can’t wait to see you again.
On behalf of our entire program, we appreciate everyone respecting
our privacy at this time to grieve, and we will all miss Aaron,
Torrey and those involved. We are here for all families and friends,
and we will stick together through this tragedy. Redbirds for Life.”
[LDN]
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Bloomington plane crash claims
seven lives
