Missing Plane in New Orleans Lake
A flight instructor and his student, a U.S. Navy officer who was soon to be a father, are feared dead after their small aircraft crashed into a lake in New Orleans, according to reports from authorities and local media.
The instructor, Taylor Dickey, and his pupil, Lt. David Michael Jahn, took off in a Cessna 172 Skyhawk last Monday. They vanished from radar while flying over Lake Pontchartrain, just four miles north of New Orleans Lakefront Airport, as noted by the Cajun Navy. They had flown in from Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, which is about 110 miles away from where they lost contact.
According to the United Cajun Navy, Jahn was a Civil Engineer Corps officer with the Navy Seabees, based in Gulfport, Mississippi. He was married to Taylor, who is five months pregnant. Jahn was reportedly close to earning his commercial pilot’s license, with just under 250 flight hours logged.
The United Cajun Navy described Dickey as someone with strong convictions, a passion for flying, and a dedication to mentoring women in aviation.
Currently, the United Cajun Navy continues to search for the missing individuals, emphasizing the need for closure for their families. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard announced that it had halted its search efforts after covering more than 770 square miles over roughly 45 hours.
Michael Wurster, the Coast Guard’s New Orleans Search and Rescue Operations Coordinator, expressed condolences to the families affected by this tragic incident. He mentioned that ceasing the search is an incredibly tough decision, made only after exhausting all possible avenues to locate those involved.
At a news conference, Michael Calastro, the owner of Apollo Aviation, the flight school that owned the plane, stated that although they did not receive a distress call, it is possible that the plane experienced a “very, very violent” impact, leading to disintegration. He also highlighted the difficulties of flying over water at night, particularly in less than ideal weather conditions.
Recently, the United Cajun Navy reported that remnants of the aircraft, including a seat cushion and headrest, were found, utilizing boats, sonar teams, air support, and canine units despite challenging weather.
Calastro expressed sorrow, noting this was the first major incident for Apollo Aviation in its many years of service.
