The identities of four people involved in a fatal plane crash in Greensburg Sunday night have now been released.
Killed in the crash were Donald Horan, 46, his wife, Barbara, 44, Stephen A. Butz, 45, and his wife, Denise, 42. The couples were close friends just returning from a weekend in Destin, FL.
A call for help went out after the FAA notified officials that they lost the signal of a plane around 6:30 p.m. Sunday evening. About 125 first responders went to the scene, where the plane was located around 10:45 p.m. about a mile east of the Greensburg Municipal Airport just off County Road 200 West.
Greensburg Police Detective Bill Meyerrose noted, "It appears there was some impact in a field...the plane came to rest on a hillside in a wooded area."
It was noted that fog and mist were the weather conditions at the time of the plane crash.
Donald Horan was the pilot of the PA-46 Piper Malibu plane and had five years of piloting experience. He held a current license to fly.
The Horans and Butz's were well known in the Decatur County area where they lived and were known to be very generous.
Von McGuire, Versailles, said of Don Horan, "He was a wonderful man who never wanted anyone to know what he did for them." He recalled when his father, Russell McGuire, was gravely ill and had a dream as a local bluegrass artist, to meet George Jones. Don was one of the people instrumental in making that happen. "He gave so much that people never knew about," McGuire noted, saying he will be greatly missed.
The Horans leave behind four daughters, the youngest being a seventh grader and the oldest, a sophomore at Indiana University. The Butz' have two boys.
A press conference was held Monday evening with a spokesperson for the family, Brian Wenning, saying, "It is with much heaviness of heart that I announce God has called four of our loved ones home." He went on to say that six beautiful children are left behind to hurt and grieve over the loss of their parents. He asked for respect and privacy for the grieving process.
Greensburg Mayor, Gary Herbert, called the four "pillars of the community," saying it was a somber day at city hall. Herbert said Don Horan was a mover and shaker in the community, a go-getter, a great family man. He said he had worked with Don's father years ago and knew the family well.
The Horan girls, who have or now attend Oldenburg Academy, were in attendance at a prayer service there on Monday. President Sr. Therese Gillman said of the family, "They were extremely active. She said it was very upsetting to the school because, "we are very close, like a family...everyone knows everyone." Counselors were on hand for the students.
At the press conference Eric Kramer, who represented the Butz family, thanked the search efforts and volunteers.
The National Safety and Transportation Board, NSTB, have begun their investigation into the crash, which could take some time.
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