2 men killed in plane crash identified


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SANTA CLARA — The two men who were killed in a plane crash near Santa Clara were identified Thursday.

The pilot, 75-year-old Gary Hawes, was flying with a student co-pilot, 38-year-old Brad Brian, when the single-engine plane they were in crashed Wednesday, according to the Washington County Sheriff's Office. Both men died in the crash.

The cause of the accident is still under investigation by the sheriff's office, Federal Aviation Administration, National Transportation Safety Board and Cessna aircraft corporation.

Police said the single-engine plane was registered to a flight school in the St. George area. Hawes was from St. George and Brian was from Washington, investigators said.

Brian leaves behind a wife and four children. He worked at the Dixie Regional Medical Center as an anesthesiologist.

Statement from Brad Brian's family
We are shocked and heartbroken at Brad's sudden passing. His life was full of accomplishments, and he will be not only be remembered as a great father, husband, friend, and doctor, but as someone who cared about others.

Brad had dreamed of becoming a pilot his entire life and was finally making that dream become a reality. As a family, we will cherish the memories we have of our son, brother, husband and father.

Brad leaves behind his wife and four beautiful children, who adore him and will miss him tremendously. He will be dearly missed by his neighbors, his patients and colleagues at Dixie Regional Medical Center, and his many family members and friends in Wayne County, where he was raised.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Hawes family during this tragedy. We appreciate the outpouring of love and support of so many and find peace and comfort through faith and hope in our Savior, Jesus Christ.

"We are shocked and heartbroken at Brad's sudden passing," a statement from his family reads. "His life was full of accomplishments, and he will be not only be remembered as a great father, husband, friend, and doctor, but as someone who cared about others. Brad had dreamed of becoming a pilot his entire life and was finally making that dream become a reality."

His family said they appreciated the outpouring of love they have received since the accident and that their thoughts and prayers go out to the Hawes family. Funeral arrangements are still being finalized.

The Washington County Sheriff's Office said it received a report of a possible aircraft crash near Santa Clara at around 11:09 a.m. Wednesday.

Jonathan Hawkins said he and his brother saw the plane go down at about 9 a.m. He said the plane sounded loud but didn't seem to be experiencing any trouble until it sputtered and suddenly dropped out of the sky.

Investigators said they did not know of any radio traffic or emergency beacons that would indicate the aircraft was in distress prior to the crash.

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