A small plane took off from Fort Dodge on Friday carrying four people who died in a crash in Anderson, Indiana.
The Piper Malibu Mirage crashed into a cornfield in Madison County after the pilot flew too high toward Anderson Airport and was instructed to “reroute and re-plan an alternate approach.”
At that point, witnesses saw the plane “roll over and crash nose-first into the cornfield,” ultimately killing Joseph Scallon (68), James “Owen” Renaud (19), Jesse Ostheimer and Braden Hicks (36).
Here’s what we know about the four people who died.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the accident.
Joseph Scallon, 68, philanthropist in Iowa Falls
Joseph “Joe” Scallon was a local philanthropist in Iowa Falls, Iowa, a dedicated member of his church, and one of the Iowa Poultry Association’s Hall of Fame inductees in 2018.
“We are saddened by the tragic and sudden loss of our former, long-serving board member, Joe Scallon,” the Ellsworth College Foundation said in a statement. “We are honored that he chose to serve on our board for so many years and contributed to the success and impact the foundation provides to our Ellsworth students. His memory will be dear to us. Joe was the epitome of a ‘good and faithful servant.'”
Scallon owned Ham and Eggs and The Good Egg and was inducted into the Iowa Poultry Association Hall of Fame for his years of service to the Iowa Poultry Association, according to WATTPoultry.
He served on the Board of Directors of the Iowa Egg Council and as a spokesperson for the egg and poultry industries in Iowa.
He was also a pilot for Angel Flights, a non-profit organization that provides free air transportation for medical purposes.
He was a former board member of the Iowa Falls United Methodist Church, where he volunteered in the thrift store.
“Joe Scallon has served the store tirelessly in so many ways. He led the effort to get everything ready for the new building four years ago. He worked many weekends behind the cash register, testing equipment and repairing merchandise so it was ready to sell. When the need for more retail space became apparent, Joe stepped forward to lead the project efforts,” according to a release from the Iowa Falls Church Women United Thrift Store.
James ‘Owen’ Renaud, 19, star footballer
James “Owen” Renaud, 19, of Alden, recently graduated from South Hamilton High School in Jewell, Iowa, where he was a multi-sport athlete, playing both football and basketball.
“Owen’s love for life and the people in his life is who he was. This youngest cousin of our family was such a fun and happy guy. His talent was amazing on the soccer field, basketball court and so many other things,” read a social media post from Sue Renaud Daily.
Renaud participated in the 2024 Iowa Shrine Bowl, an American football game that honors senior athletes and coaches from the state of Iowa.
“This is a difficult time for our school community and many of our students and staff knew Owen personally,” read a social media post from South Hamilton High School, which provides mentors for students.
Jesse Ostheimer, 41, an uncle and adventurer
Jesse Ostheimer was Renaud’s uncle and a man of adventure.
“I have no words for the devastation that has struck our family. Owen and Uncle Jesse will be missed dearly until we see each other again,” Aaron Renaud said in a social media post.
According to the Times Citizen, Ostheimer was an experienced diver who had numerous diving adventures.
“I spent more time underwater than above water on my last vacation,” he told the Times Citizen in 2018.
“Jesse was a man of many talents. He was a farmer, a carpenter, a scuba instructor and a handyman,” his sister Natalie Mosch told the Times Citizen. “He was doing what he loved most when he passed away, and we are grateful for the time and memories we have with him. Our family is beyond grateful for everyone’s prayers, thoughts and love during this difficult time.”
Braden Hicks, 36, a private flight instructor
Branden Hicks, 36, of Manson, was a father and a private flight instructor at Fort Dodge Regional Airport.
“Braden Hicks was involved in a plane crash Friday morning that left him swapping his airplane wings for angel wings,” according to a social media post from his wife, Megan Hicks.
He had a passion for teaching others about the joys of heaven.
“Since I was a little boy, I dreamed of flying. After decades of dreaming, I met a pilot instructor I could not have asked for,” Bradley Cowell said in a social media post. “He became a friend, a mentor, and like a brother. Above all, he was proud of his family. He will be missed beyond belief. Fly high.”
Contact IndyStar reporter Noe Padilla at npadilla@indystar.com. Douglas Walker, news reporter for The Star Press, and Jade Jackson, public safety reporter for the Indianapolis Star, contributed to this article.
This article originally appeared in the Indianapolis Star: What we know about the four dead in the Anderson Airport plane crash
