A fatal plane crash in Utah claimed the lives of two men, leaving their families and community in shock.
According to Daily Mail Online, the tragic incident occurred on Friday morning when a Cirrus SR22 aircraft crashed into a lake near Provo Airport. The victims were identified as Michael Hyrum Cox, 43, a pilot from St. George, Utah, and Mark Andrew Johnson, 46, a father of six from Washington, Utah.
The plane, which had departed from St. George Airport, was cleared to land at Provo Airport when it suddenly plunged into the water around 10 a.m. Witnesses near the scene reported the crash, prompting an immediate response from local authorities.
The recovery operation proved challenging due to the depth of the lake and the position of the wreckage. Sergeant Spencer Cannon of the Utah County Sheriff's Department revealed that the bodies were not recovered until approximately 8:30 pm, more than ten hours after the initial crash.
Sergeant Garrett Duston confirmed earlier in the day that two passengers were on board the aircraft. The lake's nine-foot depth and the fact that the victims were trapped at the bottom complicated the retrieval process.
Cannon emphasized the severity of the crash, stating that anyone who witnessed it would have thought survival was impossible due to the significant damage to the plane.
Airport officials reported that Cox had executed a "go around" maneuver just before the scheduled landing. This procedure, which involves aborting a landing attempt, can be initiated by pilots or instructed by air traffic control when there are concerns about safe landing conditions.
However, performing a "go around" can be risky, especially if the plane's speed has already decreased significantly for landing. This maneuver can potentially lead to a stall if not executed properly.
The exact reason for Cox's decision to perform this maneuver remains unclear and will likely be a key focus of the ongoing investigation.
The tragic loss of Cox and Johnson has deeply affected their families and the local community. Cox, a pilot, leaves behind his family, while Johnson is survived by his wife and six children.
Utah Lake State Park was closed during the search and recovery operation. Multiple agencies, including the Utah County Sheriff's Department, Provo Fire and Police Departments, and the Utah Highway Patrol Dive Team, were involved in the efforts.
As of Saturday, recovery efforts were still ongoing. Sergeant Cannon reported that the plane's engine had become embedded about three feet into the lake bed, complicating its retrieval.
In conclusion, the plane crash in Utah resulted in the deaths of pilot Michael Hyrum Cox and passenger Mark Andrew Johnson. The incident occurred near Provo Airport, with the aircraft crashing into a lake. Recovery efforts were hindered by underwater conditions, and investigations into the cause of the crash, particularly the "go around" maneuver, are ongoing.
