News Release 5-20-2002 |
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COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE GUS R. DOUGLASS EXPRESSES SYMPATHY FOR PLANE CRASH VICTIM
According to initial reports, Kenneth Edward Yegella, 57, of Umatilla, Florida, was piloting a 1999 Ayres Turbo Thrush S2R when the plane went down just across the West Virginia border in Maryland, near the north end of Jennings Randolph Lake. Yegella was working for Maurice’s Flying Service, a Lake View, Michigan, company contracted to spray the area for gypsy moths. “I would like to extend my sincerest sympathy to the Yegella family,” said Commissioner Douglass. “While we do not have an official statement on the cause of this crash from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), it was reported by members of the West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) that Mr. Yegella was an excellent pilot, flying a relatively new and well-maintained aircraft. This is simply a terrible tragedy that has touched all of us at the Department of Agriculture.” Ground observers monitored weather conditions, which they considered good for flying and spraying. Low winds are necessary for spraying so that the chemical does not drift. Even with low winds, planes must fly low – around 50 feet above the treetops – to achieve a good spray pattern. However, ground observers did not witness the crash, nor did passengers in the observation plane, which was making a turn at the time of the accident. However, they quickly spotted the wreckage, which caught fire. WVDA experts said there was minimal danger to the environment from the estimated 140 gallons of non-flammable, water-based Dimilin remaining on board the plane.
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