INDIANAPOLIS, IN (WTAQ) – A plane registered to Ponderosa Aviation LLC of Kewaunee apparently is the Cessna 441 that crashed northwest of Indianapolis on Thursday night, and Indiana authorities were being quoted as saying at least three people were killed.
Fox 11 has confirmed John Pagel, his son-in-law Steve Witcpalek, and one other person were killed in the crash.
John Pagel is the owner of Pagel’s Ponderosa, the largest dairy operation in Kewaunee County.
According to flightaware.com, and the Kewaunee County Comet, the Cessna 441 took off from Eagle Creek Airpark near Indianapolis at 6:20 last night.
The 10-seater airplane took off from Eagle Creek Airpark in Indianapolis around 6:20 p.m. Central Time, and Carroll County 911 dispatchers received reports of a possible crash about 20 minutes later.
Responding deputies located the wreckage in a field about 15 miles east of Lafayette, Indiana.
“We do have some people who heard what they believe was a race car sound that we believe was related to the plane crash, and there were other witnesses that we’re still trying to verify their statements,” an Indiana officer said in a briefing with television reporters at the scene posted on Facebook by WISH-TV.
The plane had traveled from Green Bay to Indianapolis on Thursday morning.
Pagel’s operation has more than 7,000 cows, providing plenty of milk to the local community.
Pagel also owned Ron’s Cheese and had his dairy products sold at The Cannery restaurant in Green Bay.
WTAQ Dairy Expert Mike Austin knew Pagel for more than 30 years, saying Pagel was known for his innovation.
“He had a rotary milking parlor, which was kind of unique at the time. It’s like a carousel for the cows, gave them a little more comfort, made it easier for them to milk.”
Austin notes Pagel also stressed the importance of conservation practices.
“He was one of the first people in the area to have a digester, which converts manure into bedding. The energy was sold to public service to provide energy for farms in the area.”
Pagel’s work didn’t go unnoticed, according to Austin.
“He was honored by the University of Wisconsin for his conservation practices. He saw the value in water quality and healthy soil.”
Above all his agricultural accomplishments, Austin says Pagel will be remembered for how he was with others.
“He was a people person, always a smile, liked to laugh, liked to have a good time. He was also a very good businessman.”
