Friends, I will be "out of action" for a period of time.
One of our four daughters perished yesterday in a private plane crash. She was 56 years old, our firstborn.
Her boyfriend owned the plane and was piloting it with her in second seat. They were headed for Payson AZ from Phoenix. It's unclear if it was engine trouble or not, but they crashed into a house in Payson about 2 miles from the Payson airport. Both died instantly; no one on the ground was hurt. It was after dark, and it was raining. One witness said she heard the engine making a strange noise before the crash.
The FAA requires an autopsy; this will be done on Tuesday. We have decided that she will then be cremated in a Payson funeral home where her remains are currently; her mother and I will then drive up and retrieve the ashes following cremation.
Let this be the lesson - be sure to tell your children you love them - there are no guarantees you will ever see them again.
Our family is in shock and grief. Many here are good friends I've never met, and I wanted you to know.
John