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WEST CALN — A small airplane crashed in a field north of Coatesville on Thursday afternoon, killing a local school board president.
Octorara Area school board President Sam Ganow was killed in the crash, according to an announcement posted on the district’s website Thursday evening.
A spokeswoman for the Chester County Department of Emergency Services, Patty Mains, confirmed that a plane had been reported down in a field in the 500 block of Old Wilmington Road in West Caln Township. She described the aircraft as a propeller plane and that the time of the emergency call was 1:29 p.m.
Mains directed all questions to West Caln Police Department. A news release on the matter was said to be forthcoming.
Skyforce10 was over the scene shortly before 2:30 p.m. on Thursday. https://t.co/uYvvrk0trH pic.twitter.com/vxSuorB08S
— NBC10 Philadelphia (@NBCPhiladelphia) February 1, 2024
A person answering the telephone at the Wagontown Fire Company declined to make any comment about the crash, but said that investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board were on the scene.
The NTSB in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) confirmed it is investigating the crash and identified the aircraft as a Grumman American GA-7.
NTSB investigating Thursday’s crash of a Grumman American GA-7 airplane near Coatesville, Pennsylvania.
— NTSB Newsroom (@NTSB_Newsroom) February 1, 2024
NBC 10 reported that Federal Aviation Administration officials said only the pilot was on board the plane when it crashed. Aerial video of the scene showed the plane broken into several large pieces.
There was no reason given for the crash. It occurred 39 years to the day of a plane crash in Coatesville that killed four people: two crew members and two passengers.
In that crash on Feb. 1, 1985, a twin-engine Cessna 414 overshot the runway at Chester County Airport as it approached for landing. The plane crashed into a nearby backyard.
Thursday’s crash comes less than two months after a pilot was injured in a plane crash at Brandywine Regional Airport in West Chester on Dec. 6.
Ganow served on the Octorara Area school board for 26 years.
“His commitment to education and his tireless efforts to enhance the educational experience for our students made a lasting impact on our school district,” Octorara Area School District Superintendent Steven Leever, a former administrator at Kutztown Area School District in Berks County, said in the announcement.
Ganow was an active member in his church community and the owner of an equipment rental business for decades, according to the post.
“During this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with Sam’s family,” Leever said in the announcement. “We extend our deepest condolences to them, and we ask that you join us in offering support and comfort to one another as we navigate through this tragedy together.”
The school district is arranging counselors and support services at its schools for students and staff. Details regarding memorial services will be shared in the coming days.
Below is the full text of the school district’s announcement:
Dear Octorara Area School District Community,
It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that we share with you the news of the tragic passing of our School Board President, Mr. Sam Ganow. Earlier today, we learned that Sam lost his life in a plane crash in Coatesville, leaving us with a deep sense of loss and grief.
Mr. Ganow was not only a dedicated member of the Octorara Area School District School Board but also a cherished and respected member of our community. Mr. Ganow served the Octorara community as a school board member for 26 years. His commitment to education and his tireless efforts to enhance the educational experience for our students made a lasting impact on our school district.
Personally, Sam was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather, active member of his local church community and the owner of an equipment rental business for decades. For years he has also been deeply committed to the international skiing circuit, serving as a judge for hundreds of ski events all around the US and the world. He also competed in multiple marathon races annually, most recently completing the Disney Marathon weekend in January. Sam’s loss will be felt across a number of communities.
During this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with Sam’s family. We extend our deepest condolences to them, and we ask that you join us in offering support and comfort to one another as we navigate through this tragedy together.
Details regarding memorial services and ways to express condolences will be shared with the community in the coming days. In the meantime, counselors and support services will be available at our schools for students and staff who may need assistance in coping with this loss.
Sincerely,Dr. Steven Leever
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