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The investigation continues into what caused a small plane crash near the Canyonlands Airport, killing ten people on board, including the pilot. The nine passengers were part of a medical group that provides cancer screenings and dermatology services.
The victims are: Dr. Lansing Ellsworth, his son Dallin Ellsworth, pilot David White, Marcie Tillery, Valerie Imlay, Mandy Johnson, Cecilee Goddard, David Goddard, Keith Shumway and Camie Vigil. All of the victims were from Cedar City. All of those who died in the crash were known for their generosity and eagerness to help others.
Tonight there are still few answers as to what caused the accident. Dr. Bret Smith, Dr. Ellsworth's partner, said, "When I first received the phone call, of course my first impression was, ‘no that's not right it, couldn't have happened.'"
The community is still in shock after learning that ten people died in a plane crash near Moab Friday evening.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation, but authorities say the twin engine King Air 100 plane was taking off from the Canyonlands Airport on its way back to Cedar City. Shortly after takeoff, something went wrong. Sheriff James Nyland, with the Grand County Sheriff's Department, said, "They struck the ground and then slid across the ground."
When the aircraft hit the ground, it burst into flames, killing everyone on board. "We're just to a point right now where we just don't know a whole lot, and we're trying to give out as much as possible to keep everybody informed of what's going on," Nyland said.
The pilot, David White, was said to be experienced.
The passengers worked for Southwest Skin and Cancer out of Cedar City. The group, led by Dr. Lansing Ellsworth, had just finished wrapping up a long clinic in Moab. "The shock and the sadness and concern for all of the individuals involved and their families, you know what a difficult time it's going to be for them for the next few weeks," Smith said.
Friends and family have contacted KSL and are remembering the victims through emails and blogs. Betty Johnson, a friend of the Goddard family, says, "They were wonderful people and their loss is difficult to comprehend."
Family members of 20 year old Mandy Johnson say she lived by the motto: "Kindness is contagious, catch it."
A blog has been setup for the families involved the crash. If you would like to express your condolences, you may do so by clicking here.
The crash outside of Moab is the fifth deadly airplane accident in the area this month.
The first accident happened Friday, August 8 when a small airplane crashed outside of the Monticello Airport. Blanding City Council members Brian Bayles and Eric Johnson and former council member Kim Acton were killed.
The very next day another plane crashed on a Bear Lake beach, killing Washington state residents Charles McCall and Deborah Lucero.
And the day after that, three people died when two small planes collided in mid-air outside of Rock Springs, Wyoming.
This Friday, right before the plane went down outside of Moab, another small aircraft crashed into a Las Vegas home. The pilot and the two people inside the home were killed.
E-mail: wjohnson@ksl.com