Authorities identify 2 killed in plane crash near Hamburg

HAMBURG, Iowa (WOWT) - Two people killed in a small plane crash in Fremont County on Nov. 2 have been identified.

A release states that the Office of the Iowa State Medical Examiner identified the victims as Brandon K. Schatz, 44, and Kyle J. Ginavan, 45, both of Kansas City, Kansas.

Initial notes from the Federal Aviation Administration on Tuesday, Nov. 3, confirm a pilot and one passenger were killed when a Piper PA-28 aircraft crashed into a ditch under unknown circumstances.

According to the Fremont County Sheriff’s Office, emergency crews were called around 7:30 p.m. to an area along Bluff Road north of Hamburg.

The sheriff’s office said first responders found both victims at the crash site. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

The National Transportation Safety Board confirmed on social media that it is leading the investigation into the crash of the aircraft, which is registered as N9342J. Representatives from the FAA and NTSB also responded to the scene.

The sheriff’s office said the NTSB is working with local authorities and no further information about the cause is available.

Agencies assisting the sheriff’s office included the Iowa State Patrol, Page County Sheriff’s Office, Hamburg Fire and Rescue Department, Fremont County Emergency Management, Fremont County Medical Examiner, Fremont County Department of Secondary Roads and Benefiel Towing.

The sheriff’s office offered condolences to the victims’ families and loved ones.

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