USU instructor and student die in small plane crash near Mendon

Law enforcement on scene of small plane crash south of Mendon, June 24, 2022.

MENDON — Law enforcement has confirmed two members of the Utah State University Aviation Program died Friday morning, when the small plane they were flying in went down in a field between Mendon and Wellsville. The crash was reported around 9:00 a.m.

Cache County Sheriff’s Office blocking off roads to a small plane crash south of Mendon, June 24, 2022.

Cache County Sheriff’s Lt. Mikelshan Bartschi said the instructor plane went down in a field west of 2831 S. State Road 23, near the base of the Wellsville Mountains. Witnesses quickly arrived at the crash site and assisted in guiding law enforcement and EMS personnel onto the scene. It was learned by the witnesses that there were no survivors of the crash.

Utah State Spokesperson Amanda DeRito confirmed the identity of the victims as USU flight instructor Blake Shumway and aviation student Michael Carpenter. USU Police have notified both men’s families.

USU Aviation Instructor Blake Shumway. (Courtesy: Facebook)

Shumway was a certified flight instructor and had worked for USU Aviation since September 2021. Carpenter was majoring in aviation technology, to become a professional pilot and was scheduled to graduate in the fall.

We are devastated by this morning’s tragic crash and the loss of members in our USU community,” said USU President Noelle E. Cockett. “Every student and employee is part of our Aggie family, and we know many individuals will feel this loss deeply.”

DeRito said other USU Aviation flights were immediately grounded. The school will be working with employees and students in the program to offer counseling and other services to help them process this loss.

Bartschi explained that the sheriff’s office originally cordoned off the area, interviewed witnesses and collected evidence at the crash site. They were assisted by investigators from Utah State University, victims’ services from The Cache County Attorney’s Office and from USU. The Utah Highway Patrol also helped with scene documentation.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate the cause of the crash.

“The Sheriff’s Office offers its heartfelt condolences to the families and loved ones of the occupants,” expressed Bartschi. “Please keep the families of this crash in your thoughts and prayers.”


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