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By Jewell Cardwell, John Higgins and David Knox
Beacon Journal staff writers
POSTED: 11:30 p.m. EST, Dec 19, 2008
LAKE TWP.: A single-prop, private airplane crashed next to a vacant house on Charolais Street Northwest Friday evening, exploding into flames and killing the pilot.
Michael Connell, 45, of Bath Township, was alone in the plane, according to State Highway Patrol Lt. Eric Sheppard.
Connell was a prominent Republican political consultant. He founded New Media Communications in Richfield, which developed campaign Web sites for Republican presidential candidate John McCain and President George W. Bush.
The plane was attempting to land around 6 p.m. Friday at Akron-Canton Airport when it crashed about three miles short of the runway.
Taylor Fano, who lives two doors away from the crash site on Charolais, said she heard the crash.
''It blew up and shook the ground a little bit,'' Fano said. ''I was standing in the kitchen and I looked out the window and all I saw was fire.''
Fano said the plane came down in the front yard at 2017 Charolais, then skidded along the side of the house.
The plane came down between two houses, separated by about 100 feet, in the upscale neighborhood. Neighbors said one of the homes was unoccupied, while the other was lighted with holiday decorations.
They said wreckage from the plane could be seen sticking up from the ground.
''It took out the flagpole and the cement blocks surrounding the flagpole like a little planter,'' Fano said. ''It skidded across the driveway and right in between a line of pine trees and a small fence around an in-ground pool.''
Neighbor Julie Hufstetler, who lives across the street from the crash site, said she was getting ready for a party at their home when she heard the explosion.
''It was kind of a swish and a boom,'' she said.
When she looked outside, she saw flames billowing from the garage.
Greentown Fire Department Capt. Lorin Geiser said he arrived within three minutes of getting several 911 calls about a plane down.
Geiser said the crumbled fuselage from the plane was fully engulfed. It took less than five minutes to extinguish the flames.
The burning debris apparently set fire to the side of the garage of the unoccupied home.
There was no interior damage to the house.
Several neighbors, bundled up against the frigid temperature, were walking around taking pictures with their cell-phone cameras.
The plane was on final approach to Akron-Canton Airport's Runway 23 when it went down, said Kristie Van Auken, spokeswoman for the airport.
Van Auken identified the plane as a Piper Saratoga, a single-engine propeller craft capable of carrying up to seven passengers.
The plane, which was made in 1997, is owned by a Richfield corporation, Sierra-November Aviation, at 3046 Brecksville Road, according to the Federal Aviation Administration registry.
FlightAware, a Web site that tracks flight plans, reported that the plane was coming from College Park, Md., departing at 3:31 p.m. and scheduled to arrive at Akron-Canton at 5:43 p.m.
The plane had flown from Akron to College Park Thursday morning.
Van Auken didn't think the plane was based at the Akron-Canton Airport, but added, ''We can't verify that at this time.''
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board were expected at the crash site Friday night. An FAA spokeswoman said investigations typically take weeks and even months or longer to complete.
In addition to the Greentown Fire Department, others responding included firefighters from Hartville, Uniontown, Plain Township and North Canton.
Van Auken said several members of the airport operations staff were also at the crash scene.
LAKE TWP.: A single-prop, private airplane crashed next to a vacant house on Charolais Street Northwest Friday evening, exploding into flames and killing the pilot.
Michael Connell, 45, of Bath Township, was alone in the plane, according to State Highway Patrol Lt. Eric Sheppard.
Connell was a prominent Republican political consultant. He founded New Media Communications in Richfield, which developed campaign Web sites for Republican presidential candidate John McCain and President George W. Bush.
The plane was attempting to land around 6 p.m. Friday at Akron-Canton Airport when it crashed about three miles short of the runway.
Taylor Fano, who lives two doors away from the crash site on Charolais, said she heard the crash.
''It blew up and shook the ground a little bit,'' Fano said. ''I was standing in the kitchen and I looked out the window and all I saw was fire.''
Fano said the plane came down in the front yard at 2017 Charolais, then skidded along the side of the house.
The plane came down between two houses, separated by about 100 feet, in the upscale neighborhood. Neighbors said one of the homes was unoccupied, while the other was lighted with holiday decorations.
They said wreckage from the plane could be seen sticking up from the ground.
''It took out the flagpole and the cement blocks surrounding the flagpole like a little planter,'' Fano said. ''It skidded across the driveway and right in between a line of pine trees and a small fence around an in-ground pool.''
Neighbor Julie Hufstetler, who lives across the street from the crash site, said she was getting ready for a party at their home when she heard the explosion.
''It was kind of a swish and a boom,'' she said.
When she looked outside, she saw flames billowing from the garage.
Greentown Fire Department Capt. Lorin Geiser said he arrived within three minutes of getting several 911 calls about a plane down.
Geiser said the crumbled fuselage from the plane was fully engulfed. It took less than five minutes to extinguish the flames.
The burning debris apparently set fire to the side of the garage of the unoccupied home.
There was no interior damage to the house.
Several neighbors, bundled up against the frigid temperature, were walking around taking pictures with their cell-phone cameras.
The plane was on final approach to Akron-Canton Airport's Runway 23 when it went down, said Kristie Van Auken, spokeswoman for the airport.
Van Auken identified the plane as a Piper Saratoga, a single-engine propeller craft capable of carrying up to seven passengers.
The plane, which was made in 1997, is owned by a Richfield corporation, Sierra-November Aviation, at 3046 Brecksville Road, according to the Federal Aviation Administration registry.
FlightAware, a Web site that tracks flight plans, reported that the plane was coming from College Park, Md., departing at 3:31 p.m. and scheduled to arrive at Akron-Canton at 5:43 p.m.
The plane had flown from Akron to College Park Thursday morning.
Van Auken didn't think the plane was based at the Akron-Canton Airport, but added, ''We can't verify that at this time.''
Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board were expected at the crash site Friday night. An FAA spokeswoman said investigations typically take weeks and even months or longer to complete.
In addition to the Greentown Fire Department, others responding included firefighters from Hartville, Uniontown, Plain Township and North Canton.
Van Auken said several members of the airport operations staff were also at the crash scene.
Comments
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Fairlawn, OH
Posted 11:59 PM, 12/19/2008
Mr. Connell lead an inspirational life--a testimony to his Catholic faith. He leaves behind his wife and four children who need our prayers, especially during this Christmas season.
A great family friend, Mike will be missed.
Posted 12:18 AM, 12/20/2008
Michael Connell was my uncle. I've known him for many years. He married my father's youngest sister. I remember his wedding, his kids being born, and the time we spent together when I lived in Ohio. I remember when the man had just started New Media, and watched how he grew it into the extremely succesful and well known business became. I'm sure all those who worked for him will carry on his legacy and spirit. He was a good christian man and father. It is true, the man through out all aspects of his life served the Lord, his family and friends, and the good of man kind. He was a very giving and loving man. The world has truly lost a wonderful man and hero to many. My heart hurts greatly...
His nephew in Atlanta
Posted 12:21 AM, 12/20/2008
Mike was an amazing man a true giver and loved by so many many people.He set the example of how to live a Christ centered life with everything he did.Such an honor it was to know him and to call him my friend. I am so very sad of his death and pray for his family during this very difficult time.Rest in peace Mike you will never be forgotten. Carol Malick
Posted 09:03 AM, 12/20/2008
His untimely death is especially troubling since a federal judge last month ordered him to testify in an Ohio election suit.
Posted 11:06 AM, 12/20/2008
A God-first type guy, who was a wonderfaul family man and a true visionary with all the ambition in the world. He will be missed on many fronts.
He has gone too soon but its important we continue to carry out his legacy.
Posted 11:20 AM, 12/20/2008
Mike led many wonderful programs at St. Hilary Church to bring people closer to God. He was a great leader and an amazing family man. We will miss the fun times we have had with him. We will continue to love him and his family.
Posted 02:01 PM, 12/20/2008
Key Witness Michael Connell in Ohio Vote Fraud case dies in plane crash
http://adap2k.blogspot.com/2008/12/rove-connell-michael-dead-ohio.html
akron, oh
Posted 03:28 PM, 12/20/2008
Try this for some sobering news.
http://adap2k.blogspot.com/2008/08/witness-protection-after-rove-threats.html
akron, oh
Posted 03:37 PM, 12/20/2008
Here is an unfortunate connection.
http://adap2k.blogspot.com/2008/08/witness-protection-after-rove-threats.html
Posted 07:49 PM, 12/20/2008
One major omission from the story is the weather at the time of the crash. Single-pilot instrument flying at night has an accident rate substantially higher than daytime, and when reduced visibility or ceilings are a factor and a single-pilot light plane is on an instrument approach, that rate is even higher. I wish the writers had mentioned the weather conditions other than "frigid."
As for conspiracy theories, it seems unlikely that a saboteur could contrive to bring down a light plane or incapacitate its pilot in the last two minutes of a 2:20 flight without any prior indication of trouble. Even Karl Rove isn't that clever.
Posted 08:55 PM, 12/20/2008
Jeane @2:08 - Can you Lefties show the slightest amount of respect for someone who just tragically died? Gosh, I think the past 8 years of BDS has infected you to the point that no one on the Right is immune from your vile, hateful, childish comments.
May Mike rest in peace, may his family be comforted, and may you lefties get your due consequence.
Posted 10:36 PM, 12/20/2008
Lefties are showing the ultimate respect for him in death... Calling for a full investigation to make sure he wasn't murdered. Let's investigate this tragedy fully and see if it leads to Rove. If it doesn't, so be it. But his family and his community deserve a full investigation. After all, the circumstances of his death endangered the community as a whole. We all deserve a clear assessment of what transpired.
Posted 10:41 PM, 12/20/2008
Agreed that Jean@2:08 is over the top, and not reflective of the lefties here. We aren't revelling in this man's passing. We're heart broken that it may be connected to nefarious folks.
Posted 11:38 PM, 12/20/2008
IN the day of the age of new Technology, doesnt one beleive that we should not post "untruths" at this time. Mr. Connell was a kind man, loving , proud father and in NO way during this time deserve the utter disrespect I am seeing with some of these blogs. Conspiracy,lying, cheating WE have all know what OUR goverment WE allowed has come to..regardless of votes BUSH still ran thi country by the MAJORITY vote..
THIS man has 4 young children who have friends and the ability for these young kids who read these blogs who post on face books ect do not have the maturity to see what is true and what is false. Its OUR job now as a community to surround this very giving family and protect them from the WORLD we ALL helped create. Watch what you say and take the children and wife in consideration and pray very hard it was weather and not what these bloggers are saying....
He was kind , giving, and raised 4 children to so back....
God Bless the Connell Family
Posted 11:48 PM, 12/20/2008
Can we please in this time of grieving take in consideration this man has 4 young children who in the day of the age of facebook, my space ect. Who should not have to read on text messages their father passed. He is a kind loving father and that is what their memory should be. Watch what is blogged until an investigation is begun and to be honest it isnt the "mike connells'' of the world that should be blamed for this goverment being out of hand its OUR country and WE as a whole have stood by and watched it tail spin for 8 years...Lets not forget OHIO is not the only state...
Bless the Connell and family and their beautiful 4 children. I am blessed to know them and see what kind caring young adults they have given to this world.
Posted 01:00 PM, 12/21/2008
I would have to say, if you have negative comments about this pilot that would affect the kids or his wife, you might want to think about keeping them to yourself or the authorities out of respect for the kids and wife. We are human and consist of many flaws, and some people are more sympathetic than others. My father crashed a plane and was killed over by Youngstown when I was very young, and he left three kids and a wife. Its bad enough losing a father but to have to absorb some of those comments, that aren't proven in a court of law, maybe just a little to harsh for the family to absorb at this time. Now, I am a leaning liberal with conservative views, but none of that probably doesn't matter to the family at the moment, they just want their father and husband back. Let the authorities investigate and come up with their conclusions. I do not know this pilot or his family. I just clicked on this news article, but my regards to the family and hope they shall be able to overcome this tradegy. My prayers are with you.
Sincerely,
RU
Posted 09:54 PM, 12/21/2008
Amen!!!!!
Posted 01:30 AM, 12/22/2008
Mike Connell was a great man, lived his faith every day and anyone who knew him personally knows what a wonderful person, husband, father he was. He was generous, kind, giving and loving. Our community, church, and families are saddened by the loss of such a great man.
Tallmadge, Oh
Posted 01:53 AM, 12/22/2008
Has anyone read this story yet?
Bush Insider Who Planned To Tell All Killed In Plane Crash, Non-Profit Demands Full Federal Investigation
http://www.prisonplanet.com/bush-insider-who-planned-to-tell-all-killed-in-plane-crash-non-profit-demands-full-federal-investigation.html
Interesting...
Akron, OH
Posted 09:02 AM, 12/22/2008
@Kathleen - and your point is what? That you can't keep these sites to yourself while the family grieves? How unfeeling and inconsiderate. Obviously you never met Mike or you would have some respect for his family. A woman lost her husband, her best friend and terrific father to their 4 children in a terrible accident - which is what it is unless the FAA finds otherwise so please have some respect for Mike's family and friends and stop posting your conspiracy thoughts.
Posted 09:34 AM, 12/22/2008
Read this story and then demand a full investigation by the Ohio State Attorney General's office.
http://tinyurl.com/6t7gy5
Franklin, OH
Posted 09:12 PM, 12/22/2008
God Bless this gentlemen's surviving family, his daughter's, his wife, parents,etc. Let us pray that there is not one ounce of malfeasance involved in the circumstances of this tragic accident.
But--if someone you've all trusted is behind this sad course of events, I think you would want to get to the bottom of it, am I right? Many people around the world have died terrible, untimely deaths since this rogue administration came to power, since Sept. 11th, 2001. There is much more to that story than meets the eye also.
The corporate mainstream, right-wing media seems to want to gloss over this story...doens't it make you wonder why? God Bless you & yours in this Sacred Season...the celebration of the Birth of our wayshower--Jesus 'The Christ'.
OFallon, MO
Posted 08:00 AM, 12/23/2008
My Deepest Sympathy to Heather (Mrs. Connell) and their dear children! Ive known Heather since she was born and watched her grow up to be a wonderful person, as was her Husband, Michael! I didnt have the pleasure of knowing Mr. Connell well, as I stil live near Heathers Hometown area in MO. Her mother is a close family friend of our family and we, of course, would hear how the Connell family was very often. My heart goes out to you Heather and to your children..all of the family! You are all in my prayers at this very difficult time! I pray that all comes to light amidst the reports. Michael is now in paradise and with our Lord and Savior, Jesus! Although Im sorry for your loss, Celebrate his life when he was here and know that he is now at his final home...where he is in the Good Lords Hands...waiting for us all, in the mansion GOD has prepared for him and us, as believers. My Sincere Empathy to you, Heather and your family, Linda (Dill) Sahl
OFallon, MO
Posted 08:39 AM, 12/23/2008
To the Beloved Family of Michael Connell...
"I'm spending Christmas with JESUS this Year!"
I see the countless Christmas trees,
Around the world below With tiny lights,
among heaven's stars, Reflecting on the snow.
The sight is so spectacular,
Please wipe away that tear.
For I'm spending Christmas With
our Jesus Christ this year.
I hear the many Christmas songs,
That people hold so dear.
But the sounds of music can't compare,
With the Christmas choir up here.
For I have no words to tell you,
The joy their voices bring.
For it is beyond description,
To hear an angel sing!
If I could tell you of the splendor
Or the peace here in this place.
Can you just imagine Christmas,
With our Savior, face to face?
I'll ask Him to light your spirit,
As I tell Him of your love.
So then pray for one another,
As you lift your eyes above.
Please let your hearts be joyful,
And let your spirit sing,
For I'm spending Christmas in Heaven,
And I'm walking with our Lord,the Blessed King!
(Author Unknown)
IN MEMORY OF MICAHEL CONNELL *** December 21, 2008
Tallmadge, Oh
Posted 01:26 AM, 12/24/2008
Mike Connell was Karl Rove's computer wiz. He was also the key witness in the ongoing 2004 presidentialelection fraud lawsuit in Ohio. Some believe Connell engineered the fraud under Rove's direction. Last summer, Rove warned Connell to ignore court ordersto testify in the case and threatened him with consequences if he appeared in court. Just before the 2008 vote, an Ohio judge ordered Connell to appear in court and he did. He answered questions for two hours. Now, less than two months later, he is dead. Plane wreck. Unknown cause.
Details: http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/508.html
Tallmadge, Oh
Posted 01:30 AM, 12/24/2008
Mike Connell was Karl Rove's computer wiz. He was also the key witness in the ongoing 2004 presidentialelection fraud lawsuit in Ohio. Some believe Connell engineered the fraud under Rove's direction. Last summer, Rove warned Connell to ignore court ordersto testify in the case and threatened him with consequences if he appeared in court. Just before the 2008 vote, an Ohio judge ordered Connell to appear in court and he did. He answered questions for two hours. Now, less than two months later, he is dead. Plane wreck. Unknown cause.
Details: http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/508.html
pittsburg, pa
Posted 12:05 PM, 12/24/2008
My heart going out to Mike Connell children .
Seek and you will find the truth.
Remember all the kind words .
Spoken by his dear friends in the white house.
Posted 12:48 PM, 12/24/2008
The editors of the ABJ are a bunch of spineless idiots. What a classy operation that lets people spew their unfounded poltical hatred at a time of tradgedy for this mans family. Will they print a retraction when its determined that this was nothing more than a tragic accident?
Aliquippa, PA
Posted 05:51 PM, 12/24/2008
I agree with pilot177
that the weather as well as
lighting conditions are important.
Let the National Transportation
Safety Board do its job to find
out what happened. It may take
awhile for them to put
together all the evidence
but they are likely to try
hard to do that. Crashes
have implications for
all the parties involved,
including airports, aircraft
manufacturers, and
flight instructors.
I am confident that the NTSB and FAA
will want to check out
the destination
weather conditions and
whether the pilot filed a
VFR (Visual Flight Rules)
or IFR (Instrument Flight Rules)
flight plan, etc.
Any crash is very unfortunate but each
accident has the potential to teach something important -- especially a
flying accident. General aviation is not without risks. It is likely still
substantially riskier
than commercial aviation. That is not to say
that it should cease. But the risks need to
be understood.
Accordingly it is important to learn
and take to heart the significant
implications of any event.
If indeed the aircraft was a
Piper Saratoga then it
was essentially the same
type of aircraft involved
in the JFK Jr. accident.
It was a close match.
See for example.
http://boston.com/news/packages/jfkjr/plane_globe.htm
The article cited just above said that
Kennedy took off on a
Friday evening. Also quoting
from that article,
"Pilots were reporting
poor visibility due to haze"
and "Martha's Vineyard weather
conditions are often poor
enough -- a cloud ceiling
of 1,000 feet or less and
visibility of less than
three miles -- to require
instrument flight rules, or IFR."
Coming from southwestern PA I can
appreciate that sky conditions are
often compromised especially this
time of year.
akron, oh
Posted 12:25 AM, 12/25/2008
it is still possible that the government has been involved in more then one shady death a time or too. heart and prayers with the family. but i wouldnt count out the government involvement just yet. i hope they dont either
akron, oh
Posted 10:29 AM, 12/25/2008
I find it curiously suspicious that posters regularly appear, that eloquently try to throw the
blame for the crash on either pilot error,the weather or the plane.These posts have a certain academic-military air about them.Read above.
Then, we have posters who deem any suggestion that this was other than pilot error an attack on the family honor.
Since this is a public forum, any verifiable facts should have a place in the discussion.
At this time theories about how the plane crashed are just speculation.
As the story stated, Mr.Connell WAS the GOP IT wizzard.He WAS indicted by a federal judge.He tly DID recently testify as to his role in a vote rigging scandal.
Most importantly, he WAS threatened by CARL ROVE and suggestions were made that he might need protection.
While no one is suggesting that Mr.Connell was not a generous,Christian family man the circumstances of his demise are beyond bizzare.
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Posted 11:43 AM, 12/25/2008
I'm sorry for his family
Posted 01:03 PM, 12/25/2008
Stumpy, get a life!
akron, oh
Posted 08:35 AM, 12/26/2008
Jon,Have another slice of Yellowcake.
barberton, oh
Posted 11:37 PM, 12/26/2008
this is terrible and some of you have seem to be heartless. my prayers go out to the family
cambridge, OH
Posted 10:49 PM, 12/29/2008
can anyone post a link to the Michael Connell obituary?
