[Fair use for education and research purpose only]

April 9, 2000

Title: Pilot Dies in Crash North of Virginia

News-Tribune

The pilot of a light plane died in a crash shortly before 2 p.m. Saturday about 12 miles north of Virginia.

Michael Mellak, 64, of the Cook area, died at the scene, the St. Louis County Sheriff's Office reported.

The plane, a single engine 1946 Aeronca Champ, crashed at 1:43 p.m. on private property -- an air strip near the junction of highways 169 and 68.

The accident occurred shortly after takeoff; the plane left from an air strip near Pike and Sand townships. It then crashed into an open area next to a building.

Witnesses who saw the plane crash were not related to the victim, said Sgt. James McKenzie of the sheriff's office in Hibbing.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are sending investigators to the scene to determine the cause of the crash. They are expected to arrive today.

There's no initial indication the condition of the aircraft caused the crash, McKenzie said.

http://www.duluthnews.com/today/dnt/local/crash.htm

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-- (Dee360Degree@aol.com), April 09, 2000