Joseph Maxin,Timothy Blake Obituary, Death: Officials, 6 dead in small plane crash in Ohio.
Joseph Maxin,Timothy Blake Obituary, Death – Six people lost their lives when a small aircraft crashed shortly after taking off from an Ohio airport on Sunday morning, officials confirmed. The plane involved in the fatal accident was a Cessna 441, which went down near the Youngstown-Warren Regional Airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Records indicate the aircraft was registered to Meander Air LLC, based in Warren, Ohio.
There were no survivors, according to Anthony Trevena, Executive Director of the Western Reserve Port Authority, which operates the airport. The tragic news was shared during a press conference held to update the public.
Trumbull County Coroner Lawrence D’Amico later identified all six victims. The pilot was 63-year-old Joseph Maxin, and the co-pilot was 55-year-old Timothy Blake. The remaining passengers were all members of the Weller family: Veronica Weller, 68; her husband James Weller, 67; their son John Weller, 36; and his wife Maria Weller, 34.
According to D’Amico, the Weller family, who are known for owning steel manufacturing businesses in the Youngstown-Warren area, had been en route to a vacation in Montana when the crash occurred.
Joseph Maxin, the pilot, also served as the port authority’s director of compliance and was formerly an assistant prosecutor in Mahoning County, highlighting his professional contributions to the region.
The crash site was located in a densely wooded area, making it difficult for first responders to reach, said Howland Township Fire Chief Raymond Pace. He also noted that while the situation was tragic, the crash narrowly missed three nearby homes, which could have resulted in additional casualties on the ground.
Flight tracking data publicly available showed the plane was headed for Bozeman, Montana, a popular destination for outdoor recreation and vacation travel, according to Michael Hillman, president of JETS FBO Network, an aviation company operating at the airport.
Hillman praised both the passengers and crew, describing them as some of the most respected individuals within the local aviation community. Emotionally, he added, “I’d give anything to rewind the day and take them to breakfast instead.”
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have launched a full investigation into the cause of the crash. Details regarding the aircraft’s condition before takeoff, weather at the time of departure, and potential mechanical issues have not yet been released.
This devastating accident has deeply affected the Youngstown-Warren community, especially those close to the Weller family and the airport staff. Tributes are pouring in for the victims, all of whom played significant roles in local business, aviation, and public service.
Authorities have promised to release further updates as the investigation continues to determine what caused the plane to crash so soon after takeoff.
