Alan C. Kettunen Obituary, Death Cause: Man killed in Sunday Geneva plane crash identified

Alan C. Kettunen Obituary, Death Cause – A 75-year-oldan from Geneva, Ohio, has been identified as the victim who died in a small plane crash in Ashtabula County on Sunday morning. Authorities confirmed the man as Alan C. Kettunen, according to a Tuesday afternoon update from the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

The crash occurred shortly after 10:00 a.m. on May 26, near state Route 307 in Harpersfield Township, close to the Germack Airport in Geneva. Troopers with the Ashtabula Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol were alerted at 10:11 a.m. when reports came in of a plane crash in the area. The Ashtabula County Sheriff’s Office was the first agency to respond to the scene.

According to Lt. Timothy Grimm, the aircraft involved was a Zenith 701, a small single-engine, light-sport aircraft. Two individuals were on board at the time the plane went down. When emergency crews arrived, they found that the aircraft had crashed after hitting a tree. Kettunen, one of the two occupants, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The second occupant was later identified as Jeffrey Roth, a resident of Madison, Ohio. Roth managed to escape the wreckage and was walking around the crash site when emergency responders arrived. However, he suffered severe burns and was quickly transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. As of Tuesday, there was no public update on Roth’s condition.

Lt. Grimm called the incident a heartbreaking event and expressed sympathy for the victims and their families. “It’s a tragic event. There was a life lost in this event,” Grimm said.

At this time, investigators are unsure who was piloting the plane when the crash occurred. Details such as the aircraft’s intended destination and departure location have not been confirmed. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have joined the investigation and are working alongside local authorities to determine the cause of the crash.

The aircraft, a Zenith 701, is known for its use in recreational flying and by hobbyist pilots. It’s a lightweight model with short takeoff and landing capabilities, making it popular in rural areas. However, due to its small size, it offers limited crash protection compared to larger aircraft. Investigators will likely look into weather conditions, maintenance records, and pilot experience as they search for answers.

This incident marks the second fatal aviation accident in Northeast Ohio during the month of May. Earlier in the month, a separate crash occurred in Ashland County, where a pilot from West Lafayette, Indiana, lost his life after his aircraft went down.

Additionally, on the same day as the Geneva crash, another plane went down in Riley Township, located in Sandusky County. Fortunately, that incident did not result in any injuries, highlighting the unpredictable nature of small aircraft accidents.

While aviation remains statistically one of the safest modes of transportation, small private planes are more vulnerable to mechanical failure, pilot error, and environmental hazards. The FAA and NTSB typically perform thorough investigations of such crashes, reviewing flight paths, speaking with witnesses, and examining wreckage to draw conclusions that could help prevent future tragedies.

As the investigation into the Geneva crash continues, local residents are expressing shock and sorrow over the incident. Kettunen, who lived in the area, is being remembered by community members, although further personal details have not been released by officials. His sudden and tragic death has left an emotional impact on those who knew him.

Authorities have not given a timeline for when a full report might be released, as aviation investigations can sometimes take weeks or even months, depending on the complexity of the crash. The results from the FAA and NTSB will play a key role in understanding the chain of events that led to the fatal outcome.

The area surrounding Germack Airport, while not heavily trafficked, is known to host small aircraft activity. The airport itself is often used by private pilots and aviation hobbyists, and while serious accidents are rare, Sunday’s crash has prompted renewed concerns over flight safety and emergency preparedness in the region.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol and Ashtabula County authorities continue to provide support to the investigation and the victims’ families. No foul play is suspected at this time, and officials have not indicated any immediate safety threats to the broader public.

In the meantime, the community of Geneva and surrounding areas are mourning the loss of Alan C. Kettunen, whose life ended tragically in what began as a routine flight. As his loved ones begin to grieve and remember him, investigators will work diligently to uncover the circumstances that led to this tragic crash.