PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. — A pioneering South Florida pilot identified for uplifting future generations of ladies in aviation died after her small aircraft crashed behind a gasoline station in central Indiana, simply minutes after sharing a message of hope on-line.
Officers say the pilot, Anh-Thu Nguyen, was killed Wednesday when her single-engine aircraft went down shortly after takeoff close to the intersection of East Important Road and Sheek Highway in Greenwood, a suburb south of Indianapolis.
Authorities confirmed that Nguyen, 44, was the one individual on board. No accidents have been reported on the bottom.
Nguyen, who grew up in Vietnam and later graduated from Purdue College, based the Dragon Flight Coaching Academy at North Perry Airport in Pembroke Pines in 2020.
She was additionally acknowledged because the tenth girl to fly solo around the globe.
In a video posted to Instagram simply quarter-hour earlier than the crash, Nguyen described her newest flight as a part of a better goal.
“It’s greater than only a flight … it’s a mission to encourage the following technology of Asian feminine pilots, engineers and STEM professionals,” she mentioned.
Emergency dispatchers acquired a number of 911 calls moments after the crash.
“Hey, there’s a aircraft crash at Important Road and 65 in Greenwood simply now …. there’s a aircraft crash that simply occurred,” the caller said.
Witness Frank Williams described pulling as much as the scene to reporters.
“I pulled proper as much as the sight, jumped out of the truck. I might odor gasoline and it was smoking. As I acquired near the place, I might inform there was no survivor,” he mentioned.
Williams mentioned he feared extra lives is likely to be in peril.
“I cry out to God, ‘Oh my God.’ You realize there’s lives at stake and also you don’t know what number of — if it’s simply going to be individuals on the aircraft or what it’s going to hit,” he added.
Nguyen moved to america at age 12 and went on to launch a nonprofit in 2018 aimed toward supporting Asian ladies in aerospace.
The group, Asian Girls in Aerospace and Aviation, launched a press release following her loss of life:
“Anh-Thu was an inspiring pilot, teacher, and advocate for women and girls in aerospace, engineering, and aviation. She lived with boldness, curiosity, and drive.”
Authorities mentioned the Nationwide Transportation Security Board and Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the crash.
Whereas her mission could now be grounded, Nguyen’s message continues to soar.
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