N3757T Vermont Plane Crash: 4 Dead, 15-Year-Old Student & Teacher
FERRISBURGH, VT- A tragic plane crash in Vermont on Sunday, September 8, 2024, claimed the lives of four Connecticut residents, including a 15-year-old teenage girl and her mother, her high school aviation instructor, and an 88-year-old veteran. The incident occurred after the group had flown to Vermont for a brunch outing.
Vermont State Police reported that a four-seat, single-engine Piper aircraft departed from Windham Airport in Connecticut around 8:30 a.m. on Sunday. The flight, lasting approximately two hours, brought the passengers to Basin Harbor Airport in Ferrisburgh, Vermont, where they had a brunch reservation at the nearby Basin Harbor resort.
The victims have been identified as:
- Delilah Van Ness, 15, a sophomore at Middletown High School
- Susan Van Ness, 51, Delilah’s mother
- Paul Pelletier, 55, an aerospace and manufacturing teacher at Middletown High School
- Frank Diego Rodriguez, 88, of Lebanon, Connecticut
Who was Frank D. Rodriguez from Lebanon, Connecticut?
Frank Rodriguez flew the F-100 from 1957-1959 with the 49th Tactical Fighter Wing out of Étain-Rouvres AB, France, and from 1959-1961 with the 49th Tactical Fighter Wing out of Spangdahlem AB, Germany.
- Preferred Name: Frank
- Nickname/Call Sign: Speedy
- Date of Birth: November 16, 1935
- Highest Military Grade: Select
- Hometown: Lebanon, CT
According to authorities, the group finished their meal shortly after noon and prepared to return to Connecticut. A witness reported seeing the airplane on the runway at about 12:15 p.m., but it was never observed taking off. When the plane failed to return to Connecticut as expected, relatives of the occupants alerted law enforcement. After an extensive search, the wreckage was located around 12:20 a.m. Monday in a wooded area east of Basin Harbor Airport. All four occupants were pronounced dead at the scene.
VSP News Releases: Update No. 1
In response to this tragedy, Middletown High School will be closed on Tuesday, and fall athletic events will be rescheduled. Crisis teams and support staff will be available during normal school hours to assist students and staff affected by this loss. Dr. Alberto Vázquez Matos, Superintendent of Middletown Public Schools, expressed the community’s grief, stating, “This unimaginable loss has left a void in our hearts and our community. Paul, Delilah, and Susan were special individuals whose absence is already being felt throughout our district and city.”
Dr. Alberto Vázquez Matos, Superintendent of Middletown Public Schools Letter
Were You or Someone You Know Affected
FAA & NTSB Investigation and Response
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. As of now, no distress signals or reports of aircraft trouble were received prior to the incident.
NTSB told hold media briefing at 3:30 p.m. ET today on its investigation into Sunday’s crash of a Piper PA-28R near Vergennes, Vermont. Briefing will be held at 685 Button Bay Road in Vergennes. pic.twitter.com/sgLQUlBUp8
— NTSB Newsroom (@NTSB_Newsroom) September 10, 2024
Middletown CT Student Held Vigil for Classmate and Teacher Killed in Vermont Plane Crash
On Tuesday, September 10th, A student-organized vigil was held at the Russell Library to remember the four lives lost in a plane crash in Vermont. The vigil focused on remembering Paul Pelletier, a 55-year-old Aerospace teacher at Middletown High School, and Delilah Vaness, a 15-year-old sophomore at the school.
Annabelle DT, a student at Middletown High School, described the school as hollow without Paul and Delilah. She remembered Delilah as having an infectious personality and being a perfect friend. Lis Revea, a co-worker of Paul’s, said that Paul was like a father to Delilah and had given her the opportunity to become a pilot. She also said that Paul’s death is still very difficult for her. The cause of the plane crash is still under investigation by the FAA and NTSB.
Vermont Plane Crash Details
- Date: Sunday, September 8, 2024
- Time: Approximately 12:30 PM EDT (estimated based on wreckage discovery)
- Aircraft Type: Piper PA-28R-180 Arrow
- Registration/Tail Number: N3757T
- Year of Manufacture: 1967
- Fatalities: 4
- Occupants: 4
- Injuries: N/A (all occupants fatally injured)
- Aircraft Damage: Destroyed
- Category: Accident
- Phase: Unknown (shortly after takeoff)
- Nature: Private Flight
- Departure Airport: Vergennes-Basin Harbor Airport, VT (B06)
- Destination Airport: Willimantic-Windham Airport, CT (KIJD)
- Location of Crash: Wooded area east of Vergennes-Basin Harbor Airport, VT (B06)
- Investigating Agency: NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board)
- Information Source: News, social media, and unofficial sources
Note: Some details, such as the year of manufacture and the precise time of the crash, are not available in the information provided. The estimated time is based on when the wreckage was discovered.
Small Plane Accident Statistics
2000-2020 Statistics:
- Total Fatalities: 10,060
- Average Fatal Accidents (2015-2020): 0.881 per 100,000 flight hours
- Private Plane Fatalities: More than 2.3 per 100,000 flight hours
- Daily Accidents: Small private planes average 5 accidents per day, leading to approximately 500 deaths annually in the U.S.
2019 Statistics:
- Total General Aviation Accidents: 1,220
- Fatal Accidents: 233
- Accident Rate:
- Private Planes: 5.6 accidents per 100,000 flight hours
- Commercial Planes: 0.2 accidents per 100,000 flight hours
The Human Factor
While these statistics highlight the increased risk associated with small aircraft compared to commercial aviation, it’s essential to remember that up to 80% of all aviation accidents are attributed to human error. This underscores the critical importance of:
- Proper Training: Pilots must receive comprehensive and ongoing training to maintain their skills and knowledge.
- Thorough Maintenance: Aircraft must be meticulously maintained to ensure they are in safe operating condition.
- Strict Adherence to Safety Protocols: Pilots and passengers must follow all safety procedures and regulations.
General aviation offers incredible experiences, but it’s essential to approach it with a clear understanding of the risks involved. By prioritizing training, maintenance, and safety, we can work to reduce accidents and make general aviation as safe as possible.
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