Investigation continues into fatal plane crash: 1981

MADDIX, BUTCHER, SHEPARD, SILVER, TOMAHAVE, MAASBERG

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 10/23/2015 at 10:14:02

**Handwritten: 5/8/81

Investigation continues into fatal plane crash

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the crash of a small plane Friday morning which killed two southeast Iowa men.

The accident occurred along the Des Moines River approximately three-miles east of Chillicothe. Killed were Konard T. Silver, 22, 301 E. Briggs, Fairfield, and Scott Maddix, 21, Mt. Pleasant.

The Wapello County Sheriff's office said this morning that an autopsy on Silver, the pilot, was conducted Saturday by Dr. Robert Schrantz, county medical examiner. The results of the autopsy and other details concerning the accident will not be made public until early July, in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board regulations.

According to eyewitness accounts and official reports immediately following the crash of the single-engine Piper craft owned by B-Flight of Fairfield, the men were apparently flying too low and came into contact with high voltage power lines spanning the river. The right wing of the plane was severed from the fuselage, and the plane crashed on the bank of the river. Authorities believe the men were killed by the impact of the crash.

Konrad T. Silver, a former MIU student, was born Dec. 9, 1958 in Yokohama, Japan, the son of Ernest and Jill Tomhave Silver.

Surviving is one sister, Carol Maasberg of Ridgefield, Washington, and an uncle in Ohio. His parents are deceased.

The body will be cremated and inurnment will take place later in Japan.

The Johnson Funeral Chapel in Ottumwa is in charge of arrangements.

Scott Allen Maddix, 302 N. Van Buren, Mt. Pleasant, was born July 31, 1959, the son of Donald L. and Betty Butcher Maddix.

Surviving are: his parents; his paternal grandmother, Mrs. Myra F. Maddix, Mt. Pleasant; his maternal grandmother, Mrs. Hazel Butcher, Mt. Pleasant; one brother, Robert of Iowa City; one sister, Mrs. Debra Shepard of Marshalltown, and many aunts and uncles.

Maddix was a 1977 graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School and a 1979 graduate of Spartan School of Aeronautics in Spartan, Okla. He was employed as a mechanic by B-Flight, Inc., of Fairfield and Muscatine Skyways in Muscatine. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Mt. Pleasant.

Services Tuesday, 1 p.m., at the First United Methodist Church in Mt. Pleasant, with the Rev. Neil H. Cross officiating. Interment will be at the Forest Home Cemetery in Mt. Pleasant.

Memorials may be made to the church. The Weir Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant is in charge of arrangements.
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Photograph criticized

To the Editor:

I'm writing this let in regard to the front pafe photograph that appeared in the May 9 issue of the Ottumwa Courier. I am referring to the photograph of the airplane that went down en route from Fairfield to Albia.

...Do you not have any sense of compassion? The passenger, 21-year-old Scott Maddix, was my brother. The shock of the accident itself was bad enough, without having to see a photograph of the body splashed across the front page of a newspaper!

I am not speaking only for myself, but the rest of my family and Scott's friends. Put yourself in our place. How would you feel if it had been your son, your brother, or your friend?

I don't believe sensationalism in this form of poor taste should be used to sell newspapwers(sp).

Family and friends were so shocked by this photograph that it was kept hidden from the family for several days after the funeral.

In conclusion, if this newspaper has enough courage to print this letter, it will be accepted as a form of apology for the lack of good judgment.

Debra Shepared
927 Fairchild
Iowa City

**Handwritten: 6/19/81

Source: Van Buren Co. Genealogical Society Obituary Book F, Page 53, Keosauqua Public Library, Keosauqua, IA