October 9, 2007 All Ten Bodies Recovered From Caravan Crash |
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By Russ Niles, Editor-In-Chief
The Seattle Times has identified Philip Kibler, of Troy, N.Y., as the pilot of a Cessna Grand Caravan that went down in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State Sunday, killing him and nine skydivers. Searchers have recovered all ten bodies after initially locating seven. The Times also identifies seven of nine members of the Snohomish Skydive Club, all but one in their 20s, as Andy Smith, 20; Casey Craig, 30; Hollie Rasberry, 24; Michelle Barker, 22; Landon Atkin, 20; Cecil Elsner, 20; and Jeff Ross, 28, all of Washington State. Bill Kibler said his brother Phil, the pilot, was an accomplished microbiologist who changed careers to become a full-time pilot. "But we also knew his desire to fly was a life-affirming event," said Bill Kibler. "Flying was Phil's thing." Kibler was described as a safety-conscious pilot. This was to be his last trip of the skydiving season before he returned home to New York.
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