FORT DODGE, Iowa — All four of the passengers who died in a plane crash in Indiana on Friday that took off from Fort Dodge have been identified by the Madison County (IN) Coroner's Office, and Local 5 News is learning more on who these people were.
On Saturday, officials released the names of the victims of the crash:
- Joseph R. Scallon, 68, of Iowa Falls, Iowa
- “Owen” James Renaud, 19, of Alden, Iowa
- Jesse H. Ostheimer, 41, of Alden, Iowa
- Braden W. Hicks, 36, of Manson, Iowa
On Friday morning a small plane took off from Iowa Falls with two passengers inside (Scallon and Osttheimer), a family friend confirmed with Local 5 News, and flew to the Fort Dodge Regional Airport to pick up another two passengers (Hicks and Renaud) on the way to Indiana.
The plan was to check out and potentially purchase a new airplane for Renaud, who would have, if purchased, hangered the plane out of Iowa Falls.
Hours later though, Scallon of Iowa Falls, who was piloting the single-engine plane, was told it was too high and had to re-approach the municipal airport in Anderson, Indiana. Upon giving landing another try, the Madison County (IN) Sheriff's Department told Local 5's sister station WTHR in Indianapolis, IN, that the plane "flipped over," and nose-dived into a corn field, leaving no survivors.
On Monday, family and friends told Local 5 about the passengers:
Scallon was a local philanthropist, community leader and pilot.
Braden Hicks' wife, Megan, told WTHR her husband was a problem-solver, very thoughtful and a self-employed flight instructor who usually took flights based out of Fort Dodge.
"Always just wanting to take care of people I think is his legacy," Megan Hicks said. "And then of course... his love for flying and his love for being in the sky."
Renaud graduated from South Hamilton High School in the spring and was a football star who had played in the Iowa Shrine Bowl, which recognizes the best senior football players in the state.
South Hamilton School District's superintendent told Local 5 News in a statement: "Owen's dedication, kindness, and positive influence extended far beyond his accomplishments. His character and genuine care left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him, including peers, teachers, and the entire South Hamilton family."
A family friend told Local 5 News on Monday that Ostheimer, who was Owen Renaud's uncle, was a family man and also into aviation.
Editor Note: The below video originally aired Sept. 8, 2024.